On the late failure of spinal cord stimulation for deafferentation pain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cole, J.D. | Illis, L.S. | Sedgwick, E.M.

Affiliations: Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton, SO9 4XY (UK)

Note: [] Correspondence: J.D. Cole, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO9 4XY. UK. Fax: (44)(703) 783839.

Abstract: Two cases are described in which spinal cord stimulation was effective in abolishing previously intractable deafferentation pain for a number of years, but in which late failure occurred for non-technical reasons. A possible explanation for this is advanced; namely that the dorsal column fibres have altered electrical properties due to a form of transganglionic degeneration.

Keywords: Post-amputation pain, Spinal cord stimulation, Transganglionic degeneration

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1992-4506

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 345-347, 1992