Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Modulation of Chronic Pain Using Multicolumn Paddle Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
Published on: August 29, 2025
Spinal cord stimulator failure: Migration of a thoracic epidural paddle to the cervical spine
Sarah S Travers1, Thorkild V Norregaard1
1Division of Neurosurgery, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, MC314 McHaney Hall, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Background:
Spinal cord stimulators successfully treat a number of pain syndromes but carry a risk of hardware complications. Here, we present a case of cranial migration of a thoracic epidural paddle to the cervical spine.
Case Description:
A 53-year-old male underwent uncomplicated spinal cord stimulator placement at the T10- T11 with initially favorable results. However, postoperatively, he complained of paresthesias in his arms. An X-ray demonstrated cranial migration of the thoracic epidural paddle to the cervical spine. The stimulator/new paddle was placed again at the T10-T11 level, but the leads were now secured to the caudal lamina utilizing a cranial plating system. The patient subsequently did well without further sequelae.
Conclusions:
A thoracic epidural paddle (T10-T11) migrated postoperatively into the cervical spine. It was subsequently removed and replaced into the thoracic region, but the leads were now secured in place with a novel caudal lamina/cranial plating system.
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