Intrathecal Use of Phenol for the Relief of Chronic Severe Pain

Abstract
THE relief of chronic severe pain in the trunk, pelvis and legs by the intrathecal injection of phenol solutions was initiated by Maher,1 of Liverpool, and amplified by Nathan and Scott,2 of Queen's Square. The safety of this procedure as compared to the older intrathecal alcohol injections was emphasized in their series of cases by the relative lack of disabling complications such as paresis of the leg or bladder.This report describes the intrathecal use of phenol injections for the relief of pain in 87 patients. The indications for the injections were similar to those used for cordotomy and other . . .