C-section Leaves Woman With Chronic Intractable Pain Syndrome

Case Overview

This case involves a woman who developed neuroma formations at the site of a previous cesarean section scar. The patient complained of intractable pain after surgery and her doctors recommended a resection procedure to relieve the pain. The surgeon identified an iliofemoral neuroma but chose not to resect the mass. Instead, he decided to bury it beneath the scar tissue. The patient now suffers from increased pain that was recently diagnosed by a pain management specialist as complex regional pain syndrome.

Questions to the Neurosurgery expert and their responses

What is the standard of care in making a timely diagnosis to prevent the long-term effects of the pain syndrome?

It is now common belief that ultrasound can provide valuable assistance in identifying the neuroma, defining its exact location, and improving the success rate of neuroma injections. This should improve the long-term prognosis. Also, ultrasound scanning should be considered as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality when a neuroma is suspected.

About the expert

This neurosurgeon remained in active practice for over 30 years, has been a visiting professor in 6 countries, and has been invited to present at neurological centers and conferences on an international level. He's been an editor and peer reviewer of journals, as well as published over 100 times in peer-reviewed journals, books, and abstracts. Finally, he has been recognized as among the 'Best Doctors in America' for five consecutive years.