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Lee CL, ShakerKhavidaki S, Sitthinamsuwan B, Jirachaipitak S, Srirabheebhat P. Retrograde Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Intractable Neuropathic Pain Following Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Injuries: A Case Report and Literature Review. Asian J Neurosurg 2024; 19:73-78. [PMID: 38751387 PMCID: PMC11093640 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) offers an alternative treatment for refractory pain resulting from various etiologies. Generally, SCS electrodes are inserted in an anterograde fashion, moving from caudal to rostral direction. However, there are instances where anterograde placement is unfeasible due to technical limitations. We present the use of retrograde surgical electrode placement in SCS for a patient with extensive epidural fibrosis at the site intended for electrode insertion. A 48-year-old female suffering from refractory neuropathic pain caused from injuries to the conus medullaris and cauda equina opted for SCS. During the SCS trial procedure, challenges emerged when attempting percutaneous electrode insertion at the site of a prior T12 laminectomy. However, the trial stimulation resulted in significant pain relief. For the permanent placement of the stimulator, utilizing a surgical electrode centered at T11 vertebral level, a considerable amount of epidural fibrosis was encountered at the entry of the spine, particularly at the T12 vertebral level. To avoid dural injury and ensure accurate electrode positioning, a retrograde technique for surgical electrode was employed via partial laminectomies at the T9-T10 level. The final electrode positioning was in accordance with the preoperative plan, well-centered at the T11 vertebral level. The patient experienced sustained relief from neuropathic pain over the long term. Retrograde epidural SCS is a suitable option for cases characterized by extensive epidural fibrosis resulting from a previous spinal surgery or when the anterograde placement of the electrode is unattainable due to aberrant vertebral anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Lin Lee
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penang General Hospital, Pulau Penang, Malaysia
| | - SeyedMilad ShakerKhavidaki
- Department of Biomedical Science (International Program), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bunpot Sitthinamsuwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Siriraj Pain Management Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sukunya Jirachaipitak
- Siriraj Pain Management Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prajak Srirabheebhat
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Montalvo Afonso A, Ruiz Juretschke F, González Rodrigálvarez R, Mateo Sierra O, Iza Vallejo B, García Leal R, Valera Melé M, Casitas Hernando V, Hernández Poveda JM, Fernández Carballal C. DREZotomy in the treatment of deafferentation pain: review of results and analysis of predictive factors for success. Neurocirugia (Astur) 2020; 32:1-9. [PMID: 32376193 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucir.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The treatment of deafferentation pain by spinal DREZotomy is a proven therapeutic option in the literature. In recent years, use of DREZotomy has been relegated to second place due to the emergence of neuromodulation therapies. The objectives of this study are to demonstrate that DREZotomy continues to be an effective and safe treatment and to analyse predictive factors for success. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of all patients treated in our department with spinal DREZotomy from 1998 to 2018. Bulbar DREZotomy procedures were excluded. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the reduction of routine medication were used as outcome variables. Demographic, clinical and operative variables were analysed as predictive factors for success. RESULTS A total of 27 patients (51.9% female) with a mean age of 53.7 years underwent DREZotomy. The main cause of pain was brachial plexus injury (BPI) (55.6%) followed by neoplasms (18.5%). The mean time of pain evolution was 8.4 years with a mean intensity of 8.7 according to the VAS, even though 63% of the patients had previously received neurostimulation therapy. Favourable outcome (≥50% pain reduction in the VAS) was observed in 77.8% of patients during the postoperative period and remained in 59.3% of patients after 22 months average follow-up (mean reduction of 4.9 points). This allowed for a reduction in routine analgesic treatment in 70.4% of them. DREZotomy in BPI-related pain presented a significantly higher success rate (93%) than the other pathologies (41.7%) (p=.001). No association was observed between outcome and age, gender, DREZ technique, duration of pain or previous neurostimulation therapies. There were six neurological complications, four post-operative transient neurological deficits and two permanent deficits. CONCLUSION Dorsal root entry zone surgery is effective and safe for treating patients with deafferentation pain, especially after brachial plexus injury. It can be considered an alternative treatment after failed neurostimulation techniques for pain control. However, its indication should be considered as the first therapeutic option after medical therapy failure due to its good long-term results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Olga Mateo Sierra
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
| | - Begoña Iza Vallejo
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
| | - Roberto García Leal
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
| | - Marc Valera Melé
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España
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Bing N, Yonsheng H, Wei T, Wei S, Hongwei Z. Dorsal Root Entry Zone Lesion for Neuropathic Pain Due to Thoracolumbar Spine Fracture: Long-Term Result. World Neurosurg 2019; 125:e1050-e1056. [PMID: 30776514 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.01.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To retrospectively evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesion for treatment of neuropathic pain within the lower extremities and perineal region after thoracolumbar spine fracture. METHODS Forty-two patients were treated with posterior laminectomy under general anesthesia. The DREZ regions of the spinal cord segments were ablated under a microscope. Data regarding pain relief, pain variation over time, and postoperative complications were collected. The relationship between injured spinal column segment, spinal cord, nerve root, and pain territory were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Spinal column injury segments were located between T12 and L4. Pain territories were distributed between the T11 and S5 dermatomes with varying ranges, at an average of 2-6 segments higher than the spinal cord injury segments. Pain relief rate was 100% in 21 patients (50.0%) and was over 50% in 14 patients (33.3%). Eighteen patients (42.9%) developed temporary tingling in the upper edge of the spinal cord lesion segment after surgery. Of the 4 patients with unilateral lower extremity pain, 2 developed postoperative persistent pain in the contralateral lower extremity. CONCLUSIONS For patients with neuropathic pain of the lower extremities and/or the perineal region after thoracolumbar spine fracture, pain within the lower extremities was mostly because of nerve root injury. Pain in the perineal region caused by L1 fracture was attributed to spinal cord injury segmental pain. Nerve root injury pain had a good prognosis after DREZ lesion; the effect of DREZ lesion for spinal cord injury segmental pain may be uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Bing
- Being Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hu Yonsheng
- Being Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shu Wei
- Being Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu Hongwei
- Being Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Hatch MN, Cushing TR, Carlson GD, Chang EY. Neuropathic pain and SCI: Identification and treatment strategies in the 21st century. J Neurol Sci 2018; 384:75-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Efficacy and factors determining the outcome of dorsal root entry zone lesioning procedure (DREZotomy) in the treatment of intractable pain syndrome. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2017; 159:2431-2442. [PMID: 28993994 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-017-3345-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a disabling condition that adversely affects patient quality of life. The dorsal root entry zone lesioning procedure (DREZotomy) is a modality used to treat intractable pain caused by insults to neural structures. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of and the factors that determine the outcome of microsurgical DREZotomy (MDT). METHOD All consecutive patients who underwent MDT for treatment of intractable pain during September 2008 to December 2016 were enrolled. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS The 40 included patients underwent MDT for relief of intractable pain caused by 27 brachial plexus injuries (BPIs), 6 spinal cord injuries, 3 neoplasms, and 4 other causes. A significant reduction in pain was observed post-MDT for both average (p < 0.001) and maximal pain (p < 0.001). Favorable outcome (≥50% pain reduction) was observed in 67.5% of patients, with the best outcome in BPI-related pain. In multivariate analysis, injury of the spinal nerve root (root avulsion or injury) was significantly associated with good average pain relief (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.2-27.5; p = 0.026) and pain freedom (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.12-22.30; p = 0.035). Electrical pain (OR, 6.49; 95% CI, 1.20-35.19; p = 0.030) and lower number of painful dermatomes (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.67; p = 0.039) were significantly associated with good maximal pain relief. CONCLUSIONS MDT is an effective procedure for treatment of intractable pain in well-selected patients, particularly in cases with brachial plexus avulsion pain. Injury of the spinal nerve root (brachial plexus avulsion and cauda equina injury) was associated with good average pain relief and pain freedom, and electrical pain and lower number of painful dermatomes were associated with good maximal pain relief. The results are useful in the selection of candidates for DREZotomy and prediction of surgical outcome.
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Truini A, Garcia-Larrea L, Cruccu G. Reappraising neuropathic pain in humans--how symptoms help disclose mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurol 2013; 9:572-82. [PMID: 24018479 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2013.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain--that is, pain arising directly from a lesion or disease that affects the somatosensory system--is a common clinical problem, and typically causes patients intense distress. Patients with neuropathic pain have sensory abnormalities on clinical examination and experience pain of diverse types, some spontaneous and others provoked. Spontaneous pain typically manifests as ongoing burning pain or paroxysmal electric shock-like sensations. Provoked pain includes pain induced by various stimuli or even gentle brushing (dynamic mechanical allodynia). Recent clinical and neurophysiological studies suggest that the various pain types arise through distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. Ongoing burning pain primarily reflects spontaneous hyperactivity in nociceptive-fibre pathways, originating from 'irritable' nociceptors, regenerating nerve sprouts or denervated central neurons. Paroxysmal sensations can be caused by several mechanisms; for example, electric shock-like sensations probably arise from high-frequency bursts generated in demyelinated non-nociceptive Aβ fibres. Most human and animal findings suggest that brush-evoked allodynia originates from Aβ fibres projecting onto previously sensitized nociceptive neurons in the dorsal horn, with additional contributions from plastic changes in the brainstem and thalamus. Here, we propose that the emerging mechanism-based approach to the study of neuropathic pain might aid the tailoring of therapy to the individual patient, and could be useful for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Truini
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University, Viale Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Mehta S, Orenczuk K, McIntyre A, Willems G, Wolfe DL, Hsieh JTC, Short C, Loh E, Teasell RW. Neuropathic pain post spinal cord injury part 2: systematic review of dorsal root entry zone procedure. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 2013; 19:78-86. [PMID: 23678288 DOI: 10.1310/sci1901-78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacotherapy may not sufficiently reduce neuropathic pain in many individuals post spinal cord injury (SCI). The use of alternative therapies such as surgery may be effective in reducing neuropathic pain in these individuals. However, because of the invasive nature of surgery, it is important to examine the evidence for use of this treatment. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published literature on the surgical treatment of neuropathic pain after SCI. METHODS MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles in which surgical treatment of pain after SCI was examined. Articles were restricted to the English language. Article selection was conducted by 2 independent reviewers with the following inclusion criteria: the subjects participated in a surgical intervention for neuropathic pain; at least 50% of the subjects had an SCI; at least 3 subjects had an SCI; and a definable intervention involving the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) procedure was used to reduce pain. Data extracted included study design, study type, subject demographics, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample size, outcome measures, and study results. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) assessment scale. Levels of evidence were assigned to each intervention using a modified Sackett scale. RESULTS Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. One study provided level 2 evidence, and the rest provided level 4 evidence. The DREZ procedure was shown to be more effective for segmental pain than for diffuse pain after SCI. Further, individuals with conus medullaris level injury were found to have a higher level of neuropathic pain relief than those with cervical, thoracic, or cauda equina injury. CONCLUSIONS The studies demonstrated that the DREZ procedure may be effective in reducing segmental pain. Hence, DREZ may be important in treatment of neuropathic pain in individuals resistant to less invasive treatments. Because the studies lacked control conditions and examination of long-term effects, there is a need for larger trials with more stringent conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Mehta
- Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Program, Lawson Health Research Institute , London, Ontario
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