J Korean Pain Soc.  2004 Dec;17(2):243-247. 10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.243.

Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation in a Patient with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in the Upper Extremity: A case report

• Yoon JW
• Moon DE
• Lee CW
• Ryu KH

• KMID: 2104863
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.243

Abstract

Although the entire pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has not been resolved, much evidence has shown that it is developed and maintained by abnormalities throughout the neuraxis, including the peripheral, central and autonomic nervous systems. Therefore, CRPS is actually composed of multiple patient subgroups, with different pathophysiologic mechanisms and environmental factors, all of which need different therapeutic approaches. Spinal cord stimulation has been reported to produce pain and symptom relief in an uncontrolled case series. A male patient, who had been suffering from CRPS in a right upper extremity, visited our pain clinic. Medication and sympathetic blockade produced little improvement in his symptoms and signs. A linear type spinal cord stimulator was inserted into the cervical epidural space, using a non-surgical percutaneous approach, with the cephalad lead located at the C2 level. This resulted in significant pain relief and there were no complications or adverse effects, such as migration of the leads during head and neck motion in his routine life style.

Keyword

complex regional pain syndrome; spinal cord stimulation

MeSH Terms

Autonomic Nervous System
Epidural Space
Head
Humans
Life Style
Male
Neck
Pain Clinics
Spinal Cord Stimulation*
Spinal Cord*
Upper Extremity*