Late onset cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around the spinal cord stimulation electrode.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report the late onset of cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around an epidural electrode implanted for spinal cord stimulation (SCS).


METHODS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hoshigaoka Koseinenkin Hospital, Osaka, Japan.


RESULTS
A 49-year-old man who had an electrode implanted for SCS 5 years ago was referred to our department on 2 March 2005, complaining of difficulty using chopsticks and walking. A computed tomography scan with myelography revealed severe spinal cord compression around the epidural electrode. Surgical removal of the electrode was not effective. Removal of fibrous scar tissue during a second surgery significantly improved his neurological symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Late onset cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around the epidural electrode should be considered a possible event associated with SCS therapy.
Wada
E
E
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hoshigaoka Koseinenkin Hospital, Osaka, Japan. weijiw1961@kjc.biglobe.ne.jp
Kawai
H
H
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology