Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Review Case Reports
Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation for Treatment of Sympathetically Mediated Orofacial Pain: Case Series and Narrative Review.
Sympathetically mediated orofacial pain is a rare form of craniofacial pain that may be refractory to conventional medical management. We report two cases of orofacial pain with sympathetic features treated with cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) using burst waveform with passive recharge. In addition, we present a narrative review of cervical SCS use in the management of orofacial pain. ⋯ Cervical SCS is a viable therapeutic option for patients with orofacial pain syndromes including those with sympathetic features, although further randomized clinical studies are warranted that should include a comprehensive set of outcomes measuring pain intensity, physical function, emotional function, quality of life, and general well-being.
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We examine ways intraoperative neuromonitoring during spinal cord stimulation (SCS) varies between a high-resolution investigational SCS (HR-SCS) paddle and a commercial paddle. Furthermore, the presence of evoked motor responses (eg, electromyography [EMG]) in painful regions during surgery is correlated to outcomes. ⋯ We found that eliciting EMGs over the painful areas during surgery caused alleviation of pain intensity and disability. Obtaining stimulation of abductor hallucis (AH) was more predictive of pain improvement than any other muscle group, and APD alone correlated with improvements in pain intensity and holistic outcomes. These pilot data suggest that implanters should consider APD and EMG responses from painful regions and AH during surgery.
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Review Case Reports
Psychophysical and Functional Outcomes in Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy After Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Narrative Review and Case Series.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a complication that may occur after treatment with various anticancer drugs. In refractory CIPN cases, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has garnered increased attention. The use of gait analysis and psychophysical quantitative sensory testing (QST) as an objective measurement of CIPN-related damage has burgeoned; however, these changes have not been reported for patients with CIPN after SCS implantation using either burst or tonic stimulation. ⋯ We emphasize the use of different SCS waveforms as a therapy for CIPN management and the use of psychophysical testing as a measure for diagnosis and monitoring CIPN's progress in our case series and review.
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This prospective, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study evaluated the use of differential target multiplexed (DTM) spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy for chronic upper limb pain (ULP). ⋯ In this patient population with difficult-to-treat conditions with limited clinical evidence of the effectiveness of SCS, subjects reported significant reduction in chronic ULP in response to treatment with DTM SCS.
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Comparative Study
Ten-kHz Spinal Cord Stimulation vs Radiofrequency Ablation of Splanchnic Nerves: A Single-Site Retrospective Comparison of 12-Month Outcomes.
A prospective study on 10-kHz spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for various causes of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) showed robust improvements in subjects' pain and function. Radiofrequency ablation of splanchnic nerves (snRFA) has been used in advanced pain management treatment algorithms for CAP. This analysis was designed to provide what we believe is the first comparison of the efficacy of these two therapies. Propensity-score matched analysis (PMA) was performed to compare pain relief and decrease in medication usage in snRFA and SCS for treating refractory CAP. ⋯ SCS provided longer pain relief than did snRFA in this propensity-matched study. Pain scores and opioid usage were significantly less at 12-month follow-up when SCS was used for control of CAP.