The Usefulness of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain Due to Combined Vasospastic Prinzmetal Angina and Diabetic Neuropathic Pain of the Lower Limbs

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2016 Mar;77(2):176-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1543960. Epub 2015 Aug 3.

Abstract

Objective: To describe an unusual case of combined neuropathic and ischemia-induced chronic pain in a patient who was treated with one high thoracic paddle lead.

Background: To the best of our knowledge, the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizing a single lead as a treatment strategy for combined Prinzmetal angina, a cardiac ischemia-induced disturbance of nociceptive perception, and diabetic neuropathy of the lower limbs has rarely been described.

Case report: The underlying pain conditions and SCS technique used to treat both types of pain-Prinzmetal angina and lower-limb diabetic neuropathy-in a 73-year-old patient experiencing medical or interventional refractory complex pain syndrome are described. The SCS electrode was placed in the anatomical midline with a T2- to T3-level laminotomy and externalized for postoperative trial stimulation with systemic antibiotic administration.

Results: After 8 months, stable pain control was achieved. No complications occurred.

Conclusion: We present a chronic pain syndrome due to combined Prinzmetal angina and diabetic neuropathy of the lower limbs with sustained pain relief utilizing a single SCS lead.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / complications*
  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / physiopathology
  • Chronic Pain / etiology
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology
  • Chronic Pain / therapy*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / physiopathology
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology
  • Neuralgia / therapy*
  • Pain Management
  • Pain Measurement
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome