ABSTRACT
Neuropathic pain is a common cause of chronic pain. Neuropathic pain is a challenge to clinicians because it is difficult to diagnose and often is resistant to analgesics, such as opioids (Arner & Meyerson, 1988; Dellemijn, 1999; Portenoy, Foley, & Inturrisi, 1990). Classic examples of neuropathic pain include trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain, and pain associated with plexopathy and radiculopathy (see Table 17.1). Neuropathic pain often complicates the treatment of cancer pain. For example, brachial plexopathy occurs in approximately 15% of patients with cancer and pain is the most common complaint associated with brachial plexopathy (Foley, 1987). Thus, successful management of cancer pain frequently requires management of neuropathic pain.
