Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury: two case reports

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) often causes severe neuropathic pain that becomes chronic and difficult to treat pharmacologically or surgically. Here, we describe two cases of successful treatment of BPI with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Both patients had experienced severe neuropathic pain aft...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of anesthesia 2017-06, Vol.31 (3), p.453-457
Main Authors: Kim, Jung Hyun, Shin, Sang Ho, Lee, Young Rong, Lee, Hyo Seon, Chon, Jin Young, Sung, Choon Ho, Hong, Sung Jin, Lee, Ji Young, Moon, Ho Sik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anesthesiology
Brachial Plexus
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - therapy
Clinical Report
Critical Care Medicine
Electric Stimulation - methods
Emergency Medicine
Health aspects
Humans
Intensive
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Neuralgia - therapy
Pain management
Pain Measurement
Pain Medicine
Quality of Life
Ultrasonography - methods
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Summary:Brachial plexus injury (BPI) often causes severe neuropathic pain that becomes chronic and difficult to treat pharmacologically or surgically. Here, we describe two cases of successful treatment of BPI with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Both patients had experienced severe neuropathic pain after incomplete BPI for a long time (32 and 17 years) and did not response to medication, radiofrequency neuroablation, or spinal cord stimulation. After PNS using ultrasound, their pain was relieved by more than 50% over the course of 1 year. Both patients were satisfied with their improved sleep and quality of life. We conclude that PNS could be an alternative therapeutic modality for neuropathic pain after BPI as it provides direct nerve stimulation, has few complications, and is easy to perform.
ISSN:0913-8668
1438-8359
DOI:10.1007/s00540-017-2315-5