High-dose intrathecal morphine to control cancer pain--a case report

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman with recurrent parotid gland cancer was referred to our hospital for uncontrollable severe pain in her right leg. We implanted a port in the chest wall and started a morphine infusion into the intrathecal space. The pain increased daily, and the patient finally needed 140 mg/day of morphine to control the pain. Cerebrospinal fluid was noted at the site of puncture and spinal catheter implantation. We removed the port and intrathecal catheter, then implanted the port again on the other side of the chest wall.