Cadaveric Model Simulations for Training in Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Placement of a Novel Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Electrode

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) electrodes are used to treat intractable painful conditions involving peripheral nerves. Methods for performing PNS continue to evolve, from open surgical to minimally invasive placement of electrodes. A PNS system consisting of subcutaneously implanted leads with an integrated anchor and electrodes, and an external pulse generator to produce peripheral neuromodulation, is now available for use in the clinical setting. This novel system allows either surgical or percutaneous lead positioning, and avoids the use of long leads or extensions crossing the joints, which are exposed to mechanical stress and damage. To identify methods for successfully inserting these electrodes, we investigated if a cadaver model could be an effective educational tool for teaching PNS electrode placement using ultrasound guidance. Six cadavers were studied in an attempt to find an ideal approach for ultrasound-guided electrode placement into the upper and lower extremities and cervical spine, and to describe the unique anatomy of the peripheral nerves relative to percutaneous stimulation-electrode placement. The use of cadaveric model simulations offers opportunities to practice percutaneous placement of PNS electrodes under stress-free conditions without patient discomfort, to acquire skill and confidence in performing these surgical approaches. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous placement of PNS electrodes should be learned in a simulation laboratory before such placement is performed in actual patients.

Percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty using coblation technology. Clinical results in fifty consecutive cases

Conventional open cervical discectomy, with or without bony fusion, in common neurosurgical knowledge is considered the standard treatment for cervical disc herniation. Percutaneous procedures are minimally invasive and offer decreased morbidity, require no bone graft and promise shorter recuperation time. Nevertheless, candidates for a percutaneous procedure as inclusion criteria must complain of symptoms related to contained herniated disc or focal protrusion. It does not substitute conventional open procedures required for extruded discs. We used the coblation technology for nucleoplasty of the cervical intervertebral discs. Early and long-term effects and/or complications observed with this procedure have not been reported yet. Fifty consecutive patients presenting with contained herniated cervical disc or focal protrusion causing compression of the cervical roots or cervical pain underwent a nucleoplasty procedure on the pathological disc. A randomized control group of twenty patients was treated conservatively with medical and physical therapy in the same period and completed the identical follow-up form. In the nucleoplasty group results were complete resolution of symptoms in 80% of cases, only 10% referred some residual cervical or radicular pain and are still under follow-up with a wait-and-see prospective. Patients who did not have a clinical resolution were treated with alternative traditional methods (10%). Despite the relative low cases number and the limited follow-up the encouraging results induce us to utilize this technique in well-selected cases.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty: new treatment for painful vertebral body fractures

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty as a new method of treatment for pain deriving from vertebral compression fractures (VCF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We treated sixteen patients with unremitting pain over spine, which increased particularly when pressure was applied over the spinous process, in absence of neurological signs and refractory to conventional medical therapy.

RESULTS

The method demonstrated swift pain relief associated with an evident augmentation in the resistance and restoration of the vertebral body's physiological shape. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) leakages were not observed in the epidural space or foraminal area. The presence of complications such as pulmonary embolism involving the venous plexus, toxicity due to PMMA and infection due the procedure did not occur.

CONCLUSION

Kyphoplasty is an effective, alternative, simple and safe treatment of vertebral collapse consequent to osteoporosis. aggressive haemangiomas, myelomas and metastases.