Thoracic Level Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Midback Pain: A Case Report

PercThoracic spinal pain (TSP) is a poorly understood phenomenon with a large prevalence and impact on patient quality of life, similar to that of lumbar pain. Often conservative therapies for managing TSP are ineffective or short-lasting. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) offers a promising alternative to other invasive options for management of TSP, though additional investigation into the effectiveness of PNS in managing patients with intractable back pain is necessary.

A 73-year-old patient with a history of atrial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, osteoporosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and neuropathic foot and neck pain presented with a complaint of burning midthoracic back pain. The patient underwent implantation of a SPRINT® Peripheral Nerve Stimulator bilaterally at the T9 level for management of midthoracic back pain. Despite accidental lead removal, the patient experienced 98% overall relief in her midthoracic back and did not return to the clinic for additional pain management following a 2-month follow-up appointment.

This report provides additional evidence to support PNS as an effective and safe pain management option for patients with chronic thoracic back pain.