Related Experiment Videos
Spinal cord stimulation for intractable vulvar pain. A case report
James L Whiteside1, Mark D Walters, Nagy Mekhail
1Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Pain Management, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. whitesj1@ccf.org
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|November 19, 2003
Summary
Spinal cord stimulation effectively managed a young woman's severe vulvar pain. This treatment offers a promising new option for intractable neuropathic vulvar pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Gynecology
Background:
- Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition affecting the vulva with limited treatment options.
- Persistent vulvar pain can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old woman experienced severe burning vulvar pain, unresponsive to conventional therapies and surgery.
- Symptoms were exacerbated by physical activity and intercourse, originating after pregnancy termination.
Findings:
- Bilateral hypogastric plexus blocks provided temporary symptom relief.
- Permanent spinal cord stimulation implantation resulted in sustained relief of intractable neuropathic vulvar pain.
Implications:
- Spinal cord stimulation presents a novel therapeutic avenue for managing complex vulvodynia.
- This case highlights the potential of neuromodulation in treating refractory vulvar pain syndromes.