Cordotomy involves surgical transection of the lateral spinothalamic tract, which carries contralateral pain sensation to the thalamus. The procedure is used for treatment-refractory unilateral pain in terminally ill oncology patients1. If patients have contralateral pain, there is a tendency for the contralateral pain to worsen after cordotomy. If bladder dysfunction is already present before the procedure, it is likely to worsen further as a result of the procedure2.
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