Central Pain Syndrome
It is a painful condition caused by direct damage in central nervous system that include brain, brain stem, and spinal cord.
Causes of Central Pain Syndrome
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Tumors
- Trauma
Symptoms
Pain is usually located in the area of distribution of the damaged nervous system. Pain is characterized by pins and needles, lacerating, sharp and shooting pain, and burst of sharp pain. There is hypersensitivity to touch on the painful area.
Diagnosis
A clinical, detailed history and physical, along with evidence of damage to nervous system trauma, MRI and CT of brain is helpful in diagnosis of brain tumors and other lesions.
Treatment
Central pain syndrome is usually resistant to low dose opioids. It responds well to anticonvulsants like neurontin and Lyrica and to tricylic antidepressant like nortriptyline.