Preoperative Thoracic Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spinal Cord Stimulation: Should Such a Recommendation Be an Absolute Requirement?

ConclusionsThis is the largest case series assessing the impact of preoperative thoracic MRI on surgical planning for patients undergoing paddle SCS placement. Twenty-two percent of patients had MRI findings that impacted surgical planning with 3% requiring additional surgical decompression for safe paddle lead placement. Without advanced imaging to inform surgical planning, unnecessary risk may have been placed on these patients. Although such imaging has been recommended by consensus committees in published guidelines, our study is the first to present a large institutional experience of real-world data that demonstrates its importance.

Source: Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface - August 12, 2021 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Benjamin J. Best, Mokshal H. Porwal, Peter A. Pahapill Tags: Clinical Research Source Type: research