Sacral magnetic stimulation for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica.
BACKGROUND
Magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots is used for neurologic examination. However, no one has reported therapeutic efficacy of pain relief from pudendal neuralgia with sacral magnetic stimulation.


METHODS
Five patients with pudendal neuralgia or sciatica received 30 to 50 pulsed magnetic stimuli of the sacral nerve roots. The median age of the patients was 59 (range, 28-69) years; there were 3 females.


RESULTS
Sacral magnetic stimulation immediately eliminated the pain. The pain relief lasted between 30 minutes and 56 days (median, 24 hours). Adverse effects were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study indicates that magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots may be a promising therapeutic modality for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica. Further studies should be performed to determine the appropriate intensity and frequency, as well as the utility of a second course, of magnetic stimulation treatment.
Sato
Tomoyuki
T
Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi-machi, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi-ken, Japan.
Nagai
Hideo
H
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010502:Perineum; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012585:Sciatica / Q000628:therapy*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors