Thalamic Pain Syndrome Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Dejerine roussy syndrome is another name of thalamic pain syndrome. This syndrome occurs as a result of thalamic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke or ischaemic stroke. These strokes causes lesion in the thalamic region of brain which leads to thalamic pain syndrome. This syndrome affects one side of brain hemisphere. The physical activities of opposite side disturbs as a result of these lesions. Patient loses his sensations of opposite side of body. Tingling occurs and sometimes numbness also occurs. All these symptoms after a week or two become worse and turn into chronic or severe pain. Pain becomes unbearable.
Thalamic pain syndrome falls in the category of central pain syndrome. It is a rare syndrome. As thalamus is the part of brain responsible for regulating sensation so whenever there is decreased sensational response or mild stimulation, pain occurs in thalamus which is known as thalamic pain syndrome. Face and limbs are mainly affected by thalamic pain syndrome. There are some medical conditions which may lead to thalamic stroke. These medical conditions involve circulatory system conditions, Parkinson disease, brain conditions, brain hemorrhage i.e. Abnormal bleeding in brain and some nervous system problems. The risk of thalamic pain syndrome increases at old age stroke.
There are no. of symptoms related to thalamic pain syndrome. Some of them are as follows:
Thalamic pain syndrome may occur as a result of external injury or may be secondary to some medical conditions. The medical conditions which may lead to thalamic pain syndrome involves conditions of circulatory system, Parkinson disease, conditions of pain, conditions of brain, conditions related to nervous system and brain hemorrhage i.e. abnormal bleeding in brain.
Some other conditions which are also responsible for causing thalamic pain syndrome are
tumor, an external trauma or head injury and thalamic stroke. Excessive loss of blood during head injury will lead to cell necrosis and ultimately causes lesions. These lesions will cause thalamic stroke.
To relieve symptoms of thalamic pain syndrome, physiotherapy is recommended. Some pain killers are prescribed to relieve pain. Different analgesics are used. Some traditional chemicals like opiates and anti depressants are also prescribed. Patient have to take medicines along with physical therapy. Drug classes which are commonly prescribed are as follows:
All the above mentioned drug classes are prescribed on the basis of intensity of pain and condition of patient.
Thalamic pain syndrome falls in the category of central pain syndrome. It is a rare syndrome. As thalamus is the part of brain responsible for regulating sensation so whenever there is decreased sensational response or mild stimulation, pain occurs in thalamus which is known as thalamic pain syndrome. Face and limbs are mainly affected by thalamic pain syndrome. There are some medical conditions which may lead to thalamic stroke. These medical conditions involve circulatory system conditions, Parkinson disease, brain conditions, brain hemorrhage i.e. Abnormal bleeding in brain and some nervous system problems. The risk of thalamic pain syndrome increases at old age stroke.
Thalamic Pain Syndrome Symptoms
There are no. of symptoms related to thalamic pain syndrome. Some of them are as follows:
- Muscle spasms or muscle cramps in opposite side of affected brain side.
- Emotional disturbances
- Abnormally chronic pain.
- Patient may feel cold on opposite side of affected brain hemisphere.
- Likewise patient may feel abnormal hot feeling
- Hypersensitivity.
- Hemiataxia
- Muscle weakness and decreased muscle tone.
- When muscle show abnormal contractions it may result in hand and feet deformity.
- Pain have a range based on its intensity i.e. mild to severe.
- Face is mainly affected and patient may feel difficulty in speaking.
Thalamic Pain Syndrome Causes
Thalamic pain syndrome may occur as a result of external injury or may be secondary to some medical conditions. The medical conditions which may lead to thalamic pain syndrome involves conditions of circulatory system, Parkinson disease, conditions of pain, conditions of brain, conditions related to nervous system and brain hemorrhage i.e. abnormal bleeding in brain.
Some other conditions which are also responsible for causing thalamic pain syndrome are
tumor, an external trauma or head injury and thalamic stroke. Excessive loss of blood during head injury will lead to cell necrosis and ultimately causes lesions. These lesions will cause thalamic stroke.
Thalamic Pain Syndrome Treatment
To relieve symptoms of thalamic pain syndrome, physiotherapy is recommended. Some pain killers are prescribed to relieve pain. Different analgesics are used. Some traditional chemicals like opiates and anti depressants are also prescribed. Patient have to take medicines along with physical therapy. Drug classes which are commonly prescribed are as follows:
- Benzodiazepines
- Anti convulsants
- Anti depressants
- Anti cholinergic
- Anti spasmodics
- CNS stimulants
- Narcotic pain medications
- Muscle relaxants like marijuana
- Neuroleptics
- Sleeping agents.
- Local anesthetics.
All the above mentioned drug classes are prescribed on the basis of intensity of pain and condition of patient.
Thalamic Pain Syndrome Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
August 02, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
August 02, 2017
Rating:
