Clinical Paper
Recovery of Pain Control by Intensive Reprogramming after Loss of Benefit from Motor Cortex Stimulation for Neuropathic PainHenderson J.M.a · Boongird A.a · Rosenow J.M.c · LaPresto E.b · Rezai A.R.aaCenter for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, bBiomedical Engineering, Brain Tumor Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, cDepartment of Neurosurgery, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill., USA
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 17, 2005
Issue release date: February 2005
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 1011-6125 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0372 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/SFN
Abstract
Introduction: Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) may serve as an adjunct in managing neuropathic pain after other conservative and interventional methods have failed. However, the magnitude and duration of the benefit are highly variable, with a significant percentage of patients losing pain relief over time. We investigated whether intensive reprogramming could recapture the beneficial effects of MCS. Methods: Six patients who had previously undergone MCS implantation for neuropathic pain but had lost benefit were brought back for 1–5 days of intensive reprogramming. Four patients were evaluated as inpatients while the others were seen as outpatients during multiple visits over several days. Several hours a day were spent with each patient. Patients completed visual analog scale (VAS) ratings at intervals throughout the reprogramming period to judge effectiveness of stimulation. Pre- and postadjustment VAS were compared using a paired t test. Results: The patients’ average age was 50 years (range 26–71). The diagnoses were trigeminal neuropathic pain (2 patients), complex regional pain syndrome I (2), phantom limb pain (1) and poststroke pain (1). The mean duration of pain was 6 years. The MCS benefit had initially lasted for a mean of 7.16 months (range 2–18 months). After reprogramming, 5 of 6 patients experienced improvement in pain. Average VAS scores decreased from 7.44 to 2.28 (p < 0.001) in those patients who responded to reprogramming. The average stimulation parameters in these patients were 5 V amplitude (range 1.7–10), 313 µs pulse width (range 240–390) and frequency of 84 Hz (range 55–130). Three patients experienced seizures during reprogramming. The mean seizure threshold was 8.9 V. No patient experienced seizures at their therapeutic settings. Pain control has been maintained after discharge. Conclusion: Intensive reprogramming can recapture the benefit of MCS in patients who have lost pain control. The use of broad dipoles using two contacts rather than one contact of the 1 × 4 electrode array improved the ability to recapture beneficial stimulation. There is a significant risk of seizures during aggressive reprogramming.
© 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: February 17, 2005
Issue release date: February 2005
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 1011-6125 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0372 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/SFN
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Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
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