The beneficial effect of spinal cord stimulation in a patient with severe cerebral ischemia and upper extremity ischemic pain.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used in the treatment of chronic pain, ischemia because of obstructive arterial disease, and anginal pain. Recently, a number of studies have described the effects of the high cervical SCS, including increased cerebral blood flow, although the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This case report describes a patient with a severe complex ischemic condition affecting both cerebral and upper limb blood flow with an associated complex regional pain syndrome in upper limb. While all previous clinical treatments proved ineffective, cervical SCS afforded satisfactory results. Possible mechanisms underlying the cervical SCS effect are discussed.
De Andrés
Jose
J
Valencia University Medical School, and Multidisciplinary Pain Management Department, General University Hospital, Valencia, Spain. deandres_jos@gva.es
Tatay
Jose
J
Revert
Amparo
A
Valía
J C
JC
Villanueva
V
V
D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology