title: Case reports: headache caused by a spinal cord stimulator in the upper cervical spine.
abstract: We report persistent headaches developing in a patient subsequent to the placement of a spinal cord stimulator in the upper cervical spine. These persistent headaches responded to dihydroergotamine and sumatriptan. Headaches ceased upon repositioning of the stimulator lower in the cervical spine. We postulate an effect of the device on the trigeminovascular system via the nucleus caudalis trigeminalis and/or spinal trigeminal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006261:Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*