Acute thoracic disc heralded by change in spinal cord stimulation pattern: illustrative case

BACKGROUNDSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses unique electric stimulation parameters to selectively treat specific regions of chronic or refractory back pain. Changing these parameters can lead to spreading paresthesia and/or pain beyond the desired region. OBSERVATIONSA patient with a history of sta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neurosurgery. Case lessons 2021, Vol.2 (20), p.CASE21552-CASE21552
Main Authors: Behzadi, Faraz, Telemi, Edvin, Mansour, Tarek R, Zervos, Thomas M, Abdulhak, Muwaffak M, Air, Ellen L
Format: Report
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:BACKGROUNDSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses unique electric stimulation parameters to selectively treat specific regions of chronic or refractory back pain. Changing these parameters can lead to spreading paresthesia and/or pain beyond the desired region. OBSERVATIONSA patient with a history of stable, successful SCS treatment presented with acute development of paresthesias that were relieved by reduction of stimulation parameters. The patient required paradoxically lower SCS settings for control of chronic back pain. This presentation prompted further investigation, which revealed a new disc protrusion and cord compression at the level of the paddle lead. LESSONSIn patients with SCS, a new onset of back pain accompanied by acute paresthesia that is reversible by reducing the SCS amplitude warrants investigation for new spine pathology.
ISSN:2694-1902
DOI:10.3171/CASE21552