Spinal cord stimulation in the management of pain from brachial plexus avulsion

This is a retrospective study of four patients suffering from brachial plexus root avulsion of traumatic origin. Spinal cord stimulation was used to treat pain in all patients. A seven-contact electrode was percutaneously introduced in the epidural cervical space and under fluoroscopic control, advanced to the level were stimulation provoked a tingling sensation in the painful region. A stimulation trial was performed for 2 weeks and during this period the patients showed significant pain relief, so the system was permanently implanted. A significant difference of more than three points in the pain between the first and the last follow-up (0-9 months) on the Visual Analog Scale was obtained with a steady and progressive decrease of the pain scores.