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Bakr SM, Knight JA, Shlobin NA, Budnick H, Desai V, Hill H, Johnson SK, Williams AE, Tolley JA, Raskin JS. Spinal cord stimulation for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in adolescent patients: a single-institution series, systematic review, and individual participant data meta-analysis. Neurosurg Focus 2022; 53:E13. [DOI: 10.3171/2022.7.focus22330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Neuropathic pain is undertreated in children. Neurosurgical treatments of pediatric chronic pain are limited by the absence of both US Food and Drug Administration approval and pediatric-specific hardware, as well as weak referral patterns due to a lack of physician education. This study presents a single-institution retrospective case series of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in children ≤ 19 years of age and a systematic review of SCS in children. The authors’ findings may further validate the role of SCS as an effective treatment modality for varied neuropathic pain syndromes found in pediatric patients.
METHODS
The study was a single-center, single-surgeon, retrospective case series of individuals treated between July 2017 and May 2022. The outcomes for pediatric patients with chronic neuropathic pain syndromes indicated by the multidisciplinary pain clinic for evaluation for SCS were cataloged. A systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis was performed for cases treated until May 2022, using PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus to characterize outcomes of children with neuropathic pain treated with SCS.
RESULTS
Twelve patients were evaluated and 9 were indicated for percutaneous or buried lead trials. Seven female and 2 male patients between the ages of 13 and 19 years were implanted with trial leads. Eight of 9 (89%) patients went on to receive permanent systems. The average trial length was 6 days, and the length of stay for both trial and implant was less than 1 day. Complication rates due to CSF leaks were 22% and 0% for trial and implant, respectively. Visual analog scale pain scores decreased from 9.2 to 2.9 (p = 0.0002) and the number of medications decreased from 4.9 to 2.1 (p = 0.0005). Functional status also improved for each patient. A systematic review identified 13 studies describing pediatric patients with SCS, including 12 providing IPD on 30 patients. In the IPD meta-analysis, pain was reduced in 16/16 (100%) of patients following surgery and in 25/26 (96.2%) at last follow-up. Medication use was decreased in 16/21 (76.2%), and functional outcomes were improved in 29/29 (100%). The complication rate was 5/30 (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
SCS effectively decreases pain and medication use for pediatric neuropathic pain syndromes. Patients also report improved functional status, including improved matriculation, gainful employment, and physical activity. There is minimal high-quality literature describing neuromodulation for pain in children. Neuromodulation should be considered earlier as a viable alternative to escalating use of multiple drugs and as a potential mechanism to address tolerance, dependence, and addiction in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma M. Bakr
- Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - James A. Knight
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Nathan A. Shlobin
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago
- Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hailey Budnick
- Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Neurological Surgery, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Virendra Desai
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Haley Hill
- Section of Neurodiagnostics, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Sarah K. Johnson
- Section of Physical Therapy, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Amy E. Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Riley Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis; and
| | - James A. Tolley
- Section of Pediatric Anesthesia, Department of Pediatrics, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jeffrey S. Raskin
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago
- Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Lam CM, Zayed H, Sayed D. High frequency dorsal column spinal cord stimulation for management of erythromelalgia. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/8/e244758. [PMID: 34353840 PMCID: PMC8344303 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-244758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythromelalgia is a rare hereditary channelopathy affecting the Nav1.7 sodium channel. Patients afflicted with this condition suffer from pain in their hands and feet, with vasomotor changes including flushing and redness to the distal upper and lower extremities. Current treatment modalities for this condition include pharmacological therapies (neuropathic medications), behavioural interventions, lumbar epidural infusions with local anaesthetics and sympathetic nerve blocks. Despite these treatments, many patients may have refractory pain. In these situations, there may be a role for dorsal column spinal cord stimulation for management of their pain. Here, we present the case of a 21-year-old man with 9-year history of refractory erythromelalgia successfully treated with paresthesia-free dorsal column spinal cord stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Lam
- Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Hadi Zayed
- University of Kansas Medical Center School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Dawood Sayed
- Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Hagedorn JM, Canzanello N, Lamer TJ. Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Erythromelalgia Related Foot Pain: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Pain Pract 2021; 21:698-702. [DOI: 10.1111/papr.12998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Hagedorn
- Division of Pain Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Nicholas Canzanello
- Division of Pain Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Tim J. Lamer
- Division of Pain Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
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Ogawa S, Ueno H, Maruyama A, Amaya F. Extensive Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block Combined With Epidural Block for Primary Erythromelalgia: A Case Report. A A Pract 2020; 14:e01325. [PMID: 33031105 DOI: 10.1213/xaa.0000000000001325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A 19-year-old-woman experienced severe burning pain in the lower extremities with erythema and swelling. She was diagnosed with primary erythromelalgia (PE). The pain was unresponsive to medications but relieved by immersing her feet in cold water. We performed a multilevel lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB) with 5% phenol at second lumbar vertebra (L2) and third lumbar vertebra (L3), and additional fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) levels. An epidural block was intermittently combined. The pain and skin lesions dramatically improved after the procedures, and she no longer needed medications or to soak her feet in cold water. This case demonstrated that extensive LSGB may be a therapeutic option for intractable PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Ogawa
- From the Departments of Pain Management and Palliative Care Medicine
| | | | - Ayano Maruyama
- Dermatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Fumimasa Amaya
- From the Departments of Pain Management and Palliative Care Medicine
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Chinn G, Guan Z. Case Report and Literature Review: Interventional Management of Erythromelalgia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 6:91-97. [PMID: 31592193 PMCID: PMC6779334 DOI: 10.31480/2330-4871/094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Erythromelalgia is a rare and very difficult to treat pain syndrome that usually presents as severe bilateral burning pain in the extremities. Here we present a case of a 34-year-old female with erythromelalgia who we treated successfully with a lumbar epidural infusion of ropivacaine and fentanyl. The patient had complete relief shortly after the epidural infusion, and she remained stable with only minor pain two weeks and nine months later. With this case, we have reviewed the interventional treatments of erythromelalgia. We suggest epidural infusion as the first line interventional management, followed by sympathetic block. Spinal cord stimulation can be considered if other interventional managements fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Chinn
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zhonghui Guan
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Tham SW, Giles M. Current pain management strategies for patients with erythromelalgia: a critical review. J Pain Res 2018; 11:1689-1698. [PMID: 30214279 PMCID: PMC6121769 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s154462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythromelalgia (EM) is a rare disorder characterized by erythematous, warm, painful extremities, which is often precipitated by cold conditions. The pathophysiology of EM is incompletely understood. Recent investigations have identified sodium channelopathy as a genetic cause for this pain condition, classified as primary inherited EM. Other subtypes are idiopathic EM and secondary EM. The management of pain in EM is challenging as no single therapy has been found to be effective. There is varying response to pharmacotherapy and significant variability within this clinical population, resulting in a stepwise trial and error approach. Consequently, EM is often associated with poorer health-related quality of life with higher morbidity. There is currently no consensus or guidelines on management of pain in EM. This is a review of the literature on management of pain using pharmacologic, procedural intervention and nonpharmacologic treatment in children and adults with EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- See Wan Tham
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA,
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA,
| | - Marian Giles
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA,
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA,
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Abstract
The low prevalence of erythromelalgia, classified as an orphan disease, poses diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The aim of this review is to be an update of the specialized bibliography. Erythromelalgia is an infrequent episodic acrosyndrome affecting mainly both lower limbs symmetrically with the classic triad of erythema, warmth and burning pain. Primary erythromelalgia is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder, while secondary is associated with myeloproliferative diseases, among others. In its etiopathogenesis, there are neural and vascular abnormalities that can be combined. The diagnosis is based on exhaustive clinical history and physical examination. Complications are due to changes in the skin barrier function, ischemia and compromise of cutaneous nerves. Because of the complexity of its pathogenesis, erythromelalgia should always be included in the differential diagnosis of conditions that cause chronic pain and/or peripheral edema. The prevention of crisis is based on a strict control of triggers and promotion of preventive measures. Since there is no specific and effective treatment, control should focus on the underlying disease. However, there are numerous topical and systemic therapies that patients can benefit from.
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Spinal Cord Stimulation for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Associated With Erythromelalgia. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2017; 41:619-20. [PMID: 27512936 DOI: 10.1097/aap.0000000000000457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder associated with neuropathic pain that commonly affects the lower extremities. This pain is often refractory to multimodal treatment. Both pharmacologic management and interventional anesthetic blocks have been used with varying and often limited success. To date, little experience has been gained with the use of spinal cord stimulation in treating pain associated with erythromelalgia. CASE REPORT We present a case of successful treatment of pain secondary to erythromelalgia with a spinal cord stimulator in an 80-year-old woman. This patient had severe pain and debility secondary to erythromelalgia, having undergone trials of multiple medical therapies before presenting to our clinic. Dual-lead percutaneous spinal cord stimulation was successfully implanted without complication, leading to excellent pain control, now 18 months postimplant. CONCLUSIONS Spinal cord stimulation may be a promising treatment of neuropathic pain associated with erythromelalgia.
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Lee JY, Sim WS, Kang RA, Lee EK, Yang JY, Kim DY. Lumbar Sympathetic Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment for Primary Erythromelalgia: A Case Report. Pediatr Dermatol 2017; 34:e47-e50. [PMID: 27699862 DOI: 10.1111/pde.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Erythromelalgia is often refractory and resistant to many forms of treatment. Numerous therapeutic options have been tried, but effective treatment remains elusive. The sympathetic nervous system has been involved in various painful conditions of neuropathic, vascular, and visceral origin. Sympathetic block is helpful in making a diagnosis and managing pain. We report a case of excellent pain relief after lumbar sympathetic pulsed radiofrequency treatment in a patient with primary erythromelalgia of the lower extremities. This case suggests the viability of pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients with erythromelalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Seog Sim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ryung A Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Young Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Yoon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
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