Affiliation:
1. Emory University, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA.
Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury has been reported as a rare complication of spinal cord
stimulation (SCS). A review of the literature shows a very low incidence of neurological
injury after spinal cord stimulation trial, implantation and revision. The most common
reported complication is equipment failure without neurologic injury. The incidence
of spinal cord injury after SCS trial, implantation and revision is unknown. There have
been limited reports of neurologic injury secondary to dural puncture, infection, cord
contusion, actual needle penetration of the spinal cord and epidural hematoma.
Study Design: A report of 4 cases.
Objective: To report 4 occurrences of neurological complication after spinal cord
stimulator implantation.
Methods: Four patients are presented who were admitted to an acute spinal cord
rehabilitation hospital over a 4-month period. All 4 patients presented with paraparesis
after spinal cord stimulator trial or implantation. One of the injuries is secondary to
cord contusion, while the other 3 are secondary to cord compressions. Two of these
compressions are due to epidural hematomas and one secondary to implantation in the
setting of broad based thoracic disc herniations. The clinical cases are presented as well
as a review of the literature.
Results: All 4 patients had the electrodes and neurostimulators successfully removed
prior to their acute rehabilitation admissions. At discharge from acute inpatient
rehabilitation, one patient continued to experience complete paraplegia, 2 patients had
incomplete paraparesis and one had fully recovered all of his neurologic function.
Conclusion: SCS is considered a safe procedure. Further investigation into the true
incidence of neurologic injury after SCS is warranted.
Key words: spinal cord stimulation, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, pain, epidural
hematoma, cord contusion, disc herniation
Publisher
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
Subject
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Cited by
20 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献