No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery
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Case Reports
[Ketamine treatment for severe neuropathic pain with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. A case report].
This 60-year-old man with cervical spondylosis experienced bilateral arm pain and weakness. After anterior cervical fusion and posterior decompression at a local hospital his symptoms worsened and he was admitted to our hospital. On admission he manifested bilateral motor weakness, neuropathic pain, and numbness below the C5 level. ⋯ Therefore, we continued daily ketamine treatment for 6 months, after which we changed to codeine phosphate. His symptoms were controlled without any complications. Ketamine is useful for the control of severe neuropathic pain, however, as long-term ketamine administration is inadvisable, we suggest that treatment be tailored to each patient's particular clinical status.