CASE AT A GLANCE
Pelvic Mass Treated w/ Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) Leads to Nerve Injury
Illustrated Verdict, Inc. © All rights reserved.
Case Overview:
A 78-year-old woman with a history of infiltrative endometriosis presented with persistent, chronic pain in her pelvis, back, and flank. An MRI revealed a right-sided pelvic endometrioma, which encapsulated the right ureter and affected her pelvic nerves. She initially had a stent placed in the right ureter, but unfortunately, her pain intensified. As a treatment, she underwent CT-guided irreversible electroporation (IRE). After the procedure, she experienced pain in her right foot that extended up her calf, along with limited sensation in her right toes, foot, and ankle. A month later, while her right pelvic, back, and flank pain had resolved, she continued to experience paresthesia in her right leg, characterized by a "pins and needles" sensation along with numbness. Unfortunately, nerve damage was a potential risk associated with the IRE procedure. The jury found in favor of the defense.
