Intractable Pain Relief by the Intrathecal Neurolytic Agents

Chemical rhizotomy with the intrathecal alcohol injection was firstly attempted by Dogliotti in 1931, and with phenol in 1955 by Maher. The intrathecal neurolytic injection was a very simple, effective and nonsurgical procedure without any great danger. Good indications for the procedure are the bilateral pelvic and lower limb pain syndrome, well circumscribed pain in limited area and in poor general condition. We have reported two cases of intractable pain of limited area, successfully relieved by chemical rhizotomy, and discussed the importance of the procedure and presented the review of literatures.