Spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of pain and toe ulceration associated with systemic sclerosis: a case report

A Prospective Single-center Pilot Study on the Use of Closed-loop Spinal Cord Stimulation to Treat Chronic Pain Associated With Raynaud's Phenomenon

OBJECTIVES

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vascular disorder characterized by episodic peripheral artery vasospasms, resulting in paleness, cyanosis, and/or erythema. There are few reports, mostly case reports, on the benefits of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for the treatment of RP. However, there is a lack of objective evidence on SCS-induced modulation of the sympathetic system (eg, vasodilation) in this condition. We hypothesize that evoked compound action potential-controlled closed-loop SCS may relieve pain, reduce the severity and frequency of Raynaud attacks, and improve peripheral blood flow.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, observational, single-center pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SCS in treating primary and secondary RP. Patient outcomes such as pain, Raynaud severity/condition score, Cochin Hand Function Scale, Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire RP visual analog scale, EQ-5D-5L, Patient Global Impression of Change, blood flow assessments, and neurophysiological measurements were collected at baseline, trial end, one month, three months, and six months.

RESULTS

Ten patients were successfully enrolled in the study and underwent epidural electrode placement for SCS. SCS resulted in a significant improvement in the severity of RP attacks (severity difference from baseline at trial end: -1.8, 95% CI, -3.1 to -0.5; p = 0.01; at one month: -2.1; 95% CI, -3.4 to -0.8; p = 0.004; at three months: -2.9; 95% CI, -4.2 to -1.6; p = 0.0002) and Raynaud condition score (difference from baseline at trial end: -2.1; 95% CI, -3.3 to -0.9; p = 0.002; at one month: -2.2; 95% CI, -3.4 to -1.0; p = 0.002; at three months: -3.3; 95% CI, -4.6 to -2.1; p = 0.00002; at six months: -4.1; 95% CI, -5.4 to -2.8; p = 0.0000008), and an objective reduction in peripheral occlusion and ulceration. While one of the combined primary end points was successfully achieved in terms of severity at the three-month follow-up, it is worth noting that the primary end point related to frequency improvement was not met during the same time frame.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study offers evidence linking SCS with the activation of large, myelinated fibers within the dorsal column in patients with RP. This activation is associated with improvement in the number of patient-related outcomes and enhanced peripheral circulation.

Spinal Neuromodulation for Peripheral Arterial Disease of Lower Extremities: A Ten-Year Retrospective Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This long-term retrospective study evaluated the survival and amputation outcome of subjects who received neuromodulation therapy for the management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study reviews the health data of a single cohort of 51 patients who received spinal neuromodulation (spinal cord stimulation [SCS] or dorsal root ganglion stimulation [DRG-S]) for PAD from 2007 to 2022 in a single German center. Survival rate and major amputation rate were determined. Pain, quality of life, walking distance, and opioid usage were assessed before implantation (baseline), one, six, and 12 months (M) after implantation, and then annually (during a follow-up visit). Implant-related complications also were documented.

RESULTS

In total, 51 patients (37 men [mean age 68.9 ± 10.2 years], 14 women [mean age (68.7 ± 14.6 years]) underwent SCS (n = 49) or DRG-S (n = 2) implantation owing to persistent ischemic pain. The follow-up mean years ± SD is 4.04 ± 2.73. At baseline, patients were classified as Rutherford's category 3 (n = 23), category 4 (n = 15) or category 5 (n = 9). At 24 M, 42 of 47 patients did not require a major amputation after the implant. All the patients reported nearly complete pain relief from pain at rest. A total of 75% of patients were able to walk >200 m, and 87% of patients who used opioids at baseline were off this medication at 24 M. Overall, 93% of patients reported an improvement in their overall health assessment. These improved outcomes were sustained through years three to 10 for patients who have reported outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our single-center data support the efficacy of spinal neuromodulation for improvements in limb salvage, pain relief, mobility, and quality of life. The data also show that neuromodulative therapy has a long-term therapeutic effect in patients with chronic limb pain with Rutherford category 3, 4, and 5 PAD.