Spinal Cord Stimulation and Thalamic Pain: Long-term Results of Eight Cases.

Objectives. We submit a retrospective analysis of results of eight patients suffering from intractable pain of established or suspected thalamic origin. These patients were treated with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the cervical or dorsal cord. No patient was suffering pain from a complete hemibody or facial area. Material and Methods. Five men and three women aged 27-67 years were treated in the Pain Unit of our institution between April 1993 and January 2006. The cause of pain in five cases was stroke (plus one suspected). Multiple sclerosis was responsible for pain in two cases. An upper or lower extremity was affected in six cases. Extension to adjacent trunk was common. Exclusive trunk pain was treated in two cases. Results. The follow-up period was 36-149 months. Two patients were not battery-implanted because pain relief was insufficient during the trial phase. Two patients had a further stroke: One died and one was cured from pain. Good-to-excellent results were attained in six patients; long-term good-to-excellent results were maintained in three patients. Conclusions. Despite previous adverse reports, certain cases of thalamic pain can be effectively alleviated through SCS.