Kevin E Vorenkamp1, Nina E Baker. 1. University of Virginia Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used for treatment of pain arising from a variety of pathologies. Reported side-effects related to SCS are most commonly technical complications including malfunction, lead migration, or severance. Up to date, only a few cases of gastrointestinal side-effects have been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 54-year-old man with a 20-year history of low back pain developed persistent and refractory nausea following spinal cord stimulator implantation. RESULTS: The nausea resolved spontaneously within eight weeks allowing continued use of the spinal cord stimulator. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report, we described the uncommon side-effect of nausea because of SCS that resolved over time allowing continued neurostimulation therapy in a patient with arachnoiditis and failed lumbar back surgery syndrome. We encourage other providers to report similar cases to help elucidate the mechanism of these seemingly underreported side-effects to allow continuation of the therapeutic effects of SCS.
INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used for treatment of pain arising from a variety of pathologies. Reported side-effects related to SCS are most commonly technical complications including malfunction, lead migration, or severance. Up to date, only a few cases of gastrointestinal side-effects have been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 54-year-old man with a 20-year history of low back pain developed persistent and refractory nausea following spinal cord stimulator implantation. RESULTS: The nausea resolved spontaneously within eight weeks allowing continued use of the spinal cord stimulator. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report, we described the uncommon side-effect of nausea because of SCS that resolved over time allowing continued neurostimulation therapy in a patient with arachnoiditis and failed lumbar back surgery syndrome. We encourage other providers to report similar cases to help elucidate the mechanism of these seemingly underreported side-effects to allow continuation of the therapeutic effects of SCS.