Case Report and Literature Review: Interventional Management of Erythromelalgia

Abstract

Erythromelalgia is a rare and very difficult to treat pain syndrome that usually presents as severe bilateral burning pain in the extremities. Here we present a case of a 34-year-old female with erythromelalgia who we treated successfully with a lumbar epidural infusion of ropivacaine and fentanyl. The patient had complete relief shortly after the epidural infusion, and she remained stable with only minor pain two weeks and nine months later. With this case, we have reviewed the interventional treatments of erythromelalgia. We suggest epidural infusion as the first line interventional management, followed by sympathetic block. Spinal cord stimulation can be considered if other interventional managements fail.

Novel treatment modality in a case of resistant erythromelalgia

“…Erythromelalgia is a rare pain disorder characterized by burning pain, erythema and warmth, more frequently seen in the lower limbs, with an estimated incidence of 1.3 per 100,000 people. 1 These symptoms typically develop in patients when they are young, often in the first decade of their lives. 2 The symptoms are most typically acute and apparent during flares and are often aggravated during physical activity or exposure to heat.…”