Spinal Cord Stimulation as Treatment for Truncal Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome After Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report

A 59-year-old man presented 7 months after coronary artery bypass with continued bilateral axillary pain. His symptoms progressed over a period of months to allodynia, edema, erythema, decreased range of motion, and skin changes consistent with complex regional pain syndrome type I. After failing multiple treatment options, the patient underwent a trial of spinal cord stimulation. Leads positioned in the posterior epidural space from the seventh cervical to the third thoracic vertebral levels resulted in complete paresthesia coverage of his truncal chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and the stimulation was associated with almost complete resolution of CRPS. This case report suggests that spinal cord stimulation may provide effective treatment for truncal CRPS after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Source: A&A Case Reports - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research