Case Report
Spinal Cord Injury Induced by a Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulator

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1403.2010.00313.xGet rights and content

Objectives

The use of cervical spinal cord stimulators for the treatment of refractory neck and upper extremity pain is widely accepted and growing in use as a treatment modality. This case highlights a previously unreported potential complication of spinal cord stimulators.

Methods

Analysis of a patient with a cervical spinal cord stimulator presenting with a spinal cord injury. Patient was followed from presentation in the emergency room until 1-year follow-up in the office.

Results

The patient in this case presented after a fall and sustained a cervical spinal cord injury induced by the electrodes of her spinal cord stimulator working as a space occupying mass.

Conclusion

As more patients are undergoing implantation of spinal cord stimulators we must be aware of the long-term risks that can be encountered.

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

The occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) is reported to be between 10,000 and 12,000 cases per year. In general the usual mechanism of these injuries is motor vehicle collisions or high-speed events. We present a unique case where the mechanism of spinal cord injury was secondary to a previously implanted cervical spinal cord stimulator. The use of cervical spinal cord stimulators for the treatment of refractory neck and upper extremity pain is widely accepted and growing in use

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient, a 53-year-old woman, had chronic neck and bilateral upper extremity pain after being involved in a motor vehicle accident in 1993. She underwent an anterior cervical decompression and fusion from C5-7 in 1995 for cervical stenosis after failing medical management. This resulted in only partial relief. In January 1999 she underwent placement of a cervical spinal cord stimulator (radio frequency Medtronic system), which was subsequently replaced with an implantable system (Medtronic

DISCUSSION

The patient in this case presented after a fall and sustained a cervical spinal cord injury. Initial presentation was consistent with a complete cord injury and C6 level exam. However, it became more apparent in the post-operative period that her injury and recovery was more consistent with a central cord injury. Schneider et al. defined a central cord injury as “disproportionately more motor impairment of the upper than of the lower extremities, bladder dysfunction, usually urinary retention,

Authorship Statements

Dr. Falowski and Dr. Sharan designed and conducted the study, including chart analysis, preparation, and patient follow-up. Arvind Sabesan also helped with chart analysis. Dr. Falowski prepared the manuscript draft with assistance from Arvind Sabesan. All authors reviewed and analyzed the final submission.

How to Cite this Article:

Falowski S., Ooi Y.C., Sabesan A., Sharan A. 2010. Spinal Cord Injury Induced by a Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulator. Neuromodulation 2011; 14: 34–37

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