Multi-lead spinal cord stimulation for control of motor disorders

This report presents observations in 160 patients undergoing chronic spinal cord stimulation for various disorders of the motor system and compares the results obtained using older conventional two-electrode bipolar stimulation with a newly developed four-electrode multiple level system. Improvement was noted in 84% of the 75 patients with cerebral palsy, 67% of the 42 patients with dystonia, 62% of the 21 patients with torticollis and 73% of the 22 patients with post-traumatic neurologic loss. Significant improvements were noted when comparing the two-electrode system with the new multiple level electrode. Marked to moderately improved patients increased from 57 to 84% in cerebral palsy, from 44 to 82% in dystonia, from 53 to 75% in torticollis and from 53 to 80% in dystonia, from 53 to 75% in torticollis and from 53 to 80% in posttraumatic neurologic conditions. There was a corresponding marked drop in unimproved patients in each condition.