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Spinal cord stimulation in vibration white finger
V Sciacca1, I Petrakis, V Borzomati
1Department of General Surgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
VASA. Zeitschrift Fur Gefasskrankheiten
|December 22, 1998
Summary
Vibration white finger syndrome, a condition causing pain and ischemic lesions, was treated with epidural spinal cord stimulation. This innovative technique effectively relieved symptoms and healed lesions in a pneumatic drill worker.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Vibration white finger syndrome (VWFS) is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to vibrating tools, leading to vascular and neurological damage.
- The patient, a 51-year-old male pneumatic drill worker, presented with severe pain, acral ischemic lesions, and sensory disturbances in both hands.
Observation:
- Angiography revealed bilateral arterial obstructions in the forearm, hand, and fingers.
- Conventional medical treatments, including calcium-channel blockers, pentoxifylline, and prostaglandin therapy, proved ineffective.
Findings:
- Surgical implantation of a cervical epidural spinal cord electrode under local anesthesia was performed.
- The procedure aimed to control pain and improve local microcirculatory conditions.
Implications:
- Excellent clinical outcome observed, with symptom resolution and healing of acral lesions within weeks.
- Epidural spinal cord electrical stimulation is presented as a highly effective treatment for secondary Raynaud phenomenon associated with VWFS.