title: Spinal cord stimulation in the management of pain from brachial plexus avulsion.
abstract: This is a retrospective study of four patients suffering from brachial plexus root avulsion of traumatic origin. Spinal cord stimulation was used to treat pain in all patients. A seven-contact electrode was percutaneously introduced in the epidural cervical space and under fluoroscopic control, advanced to the level were stimulation provoked a tingling sensation in the painful region. A stimulation trial was performed for 2 weeks and during this period the patients showed significant pain relief, so the system was permanently implanted. A significant difference of more than three points in the pain between the first and the last follow-up (0-9 months) on the Visual Analog Scale was obtained with a steady and progressive decrease of the pain scores.
authors.affiliation: Pain Unit and Palliative Care, S. Maria Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo and                                      Health Physics Department, S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaladi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saltari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gilli