Cervical nerve root stimulation: demonstration of an extra-foraminal technique

Since the description of electrical stimulation of nerve trunks as a means of providing pain relief, innovative peripheral nerve and nerve root stimulations have been developed. An extra-foraminal technique of electrical stimulation of cervical nerve roots resulting in reduction of upper extremity radicular pain is demonstrated here. Electrical stimulation of the C6 and C7 nerve roots was accomplished using a four-electrode spinal cord stimulator lead that was placed percutaneously within the exit zone of the neuroforamina using an extra-foraminal approach. Subsequent C6 and C7 nerve root stimulation provided a reduction in arm pain within the distribution of the stimulation.