Quadriparesis and spinal cord stimulation: case report.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report the occurrence of a rare complication following revision of a spinal cord stimulator.


BACKGROUND
Puncture of the dura with placement of an electrode within the spinal cord has not been reported as a complication of spinal cord stimulation.


METHODS
A patient presented with upper and lower extremity weakness following inadvertent placement of an electrode into the spinal cord. The clinical case is presented as well as review of the literature.


RESULTS
The patient had the electrode successfully removed; however, her neurologic status deteriorated.


CONCLUSIONS
Revision of spinal cord stimulators is usually a safe procedure. However, placement of an electrode within the spinal cord during the revision process is a potential complication resulting in severe neurologic injury.
Meyer
S Craig
SC
Silicon Valley Spine Institute, Los Gatos, CA, USA.
Swartz
Karin
K
Johnson
J Patrick
JP
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D020878:Device Removal; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed