Experience with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the management of chronic pain in a traumatic transverse lesion syndrome

Abstract

Epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord by means of percutaneously implanted electrodes was successfully used in cases of traumatic paraplegia with chronic pain, more particularly if vegetative components predominated. Out of seven patients treated in our clinic six reported a good or very good outcome of the stimulation over follow-up periods up to six years. On account of the good effect on chronic pain the use of this stimulation procedure is indicated and justified before considering any destructive operative measures.

Spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain syndromes

“…The only positive notes are from Buchhass 38 , who found SCS to be successful, but only when vegetative components predominated. The reason for the poor results of SCS in this pain syndrome can simply be explained by the fact that ®bres that have to be activated by SCS often no longer exist.…”

Spinal Cord Stimulation Attenuates Below-Level Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Rats After Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury

“…Although SCS has been well studied for the treatment of neuropathic pain with a peripheral origin, little is known about the usefulness of SCS for alleviating central neuropathic pain after SCI. Previous studies showed that conventional SCS at a moderate frequency (40-60 Hz) activates dorsal column fibers and produces satisfactory pain relief in some SCI patients (35,36). However, others have reported a rather limited efficacy (22,37).…”

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Pain Treatment After Spinal Cord Injury

“…In the first study, which included seven patients with traumatic injury-induced SCI from spinal fractures (5), a gunshot wound (1), and spinal cord contusion (1), 26.7% reported excellent pain relief and 13.3% reported good pain relief after SCS [118]. In a later study, SCS produced good pain relief (mean analgesia 68.2%) in 6 of 15 patients with incomplete traumatic SCI [119], and induced excellent pain inhibition in 6 of 7 paraplegic SCI patients with a 6-year retrospective follow-up [120]. In addition, 43.7% of 16 patients who had paraplegic pain associated with incomplete traumatic SCI reported satisfactory pain relief [121].…”