Bipolar dual-lead spinal cord stimulation between two electrodes on the ventral and dorsal sides of the spinal cord: consideration of putative mechanisms

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2018 Mar;160(3):639-643. doi: 10.1007/s00701-017-3421-8. Epub 2017 Dec 9.

Abstract

We have applied bipolar dual-lead spinal cord stimulation (SCS) between two cylinder-type electrodes placed on the ventral and dorsal sides of the spinal cord (dual-VD-SCS). A 36-year-old man suffered from burning pain from his right elbow down to his hand after brachial plexus avulsion. The areas with paresthesia induced by conventional SCS did not include the painful hand area. However, dual-VD-SCS completely induced paresthesia in the painful hand area. We speculate that dual-VD-SCS can be applied to stimulate deeper sites of the dorsal column and dorsal horn than conventional SCS and is useful for pain reduction.

Keywords: Brachial plexus avulsion; Dual-lead SCS; Neuropathic pain; Spinal cord stimulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachial Plexus / injuries*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / complications*
  • Electrodes*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuralgia / etiology
  • Neuralgia / therapy*
  • Pain Management / methods
  • Pain Measurement
  • Paresthesia
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / methods*