INTRODUCTION: Cluster headache is a disabling severe headache syndrome, with a prevalence of 0.12%. Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) is a recognized treatment for medically intractable cluster headache, composed of two electrodes in contact with the greater occipital nerves and connected to an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). The battery can be non-rechargeable or rechargeable, which has a longer total lifespan. This is, to our knowledge, the largest patient survey to examine the level of satisfaction with rechargeable batteries. METHODOLOGY: Using the ONS database at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London we identified 100 patients who have had rechargeable systems implanted. We used a patient satisfaction questionnaire, developed with some questions adapted from McAuley et al. regarding rechargeable IPGs for spinal cord stimulation. RESULTS: Ninety-two out of the 100 patients consented to participate. Of them, 68 patients (74%) found recharging the battery convenient and 81 (88%) found that the amount of inconvenience associated with recharging worth the benefit they receive from the stimulation. Of 48 patients who had a non-rechargeable battery before the current rechargeable one, 37 (84%) stated preferring the current rechargeable. DISCUSSION: The results indicate a positive general outcome of ONS with rechargeable battery. We believe that this survey gives a reliable estimation of the outcome considering the large size of the sample and the very high rate of patients' compliance to answer our questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ONS with rechargeable IPG may be considered the system of choice for patients undergoing ONS implant.
INTRODUCTION:Cluster headache is a disabling severe headache syndrome, with a prevalence of 0.12%. Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) is a recognized treatment for medically intractable cluster headache, composed of two electrodes in contact with the greater occipital nerves and connected to an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). The battery can be non-rechargeable or rechargeable, which has a longer total lifespan. This is, to our knowledge, the largest patient survey to examine the level of satisfaction with rechargeable batteries. METHODOLOGY: Using the ONS database at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London we identified 100 patients who have had rechargeable systems implanted. We used a patient satisfaction questionnaire, developed with some questions adapted from McAuley et al. regarding rechargeable IPGs for spinal cord stimulation. RESULTS: Ninety-two out of the 100 patients consented to participate. Of them, 68 patients (74%) found recharging the battery convenient and 81 (88%) found that the amount of inconvenience associated with recharging worth the benefit they receive from the stimulation. Of 48 patients who had a non-rechargeable battery before the current rechargeable one, 37 (84%) stated preferring the current rechargeable. DISCUSSION: The results indicate a positive general outcome of ONS with rechargeable battery. We believe that this survey gives a reliable estimation of the outcome considering the large size of the sample and the very high rate of patients' compliance to answer our questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ONS with rechargeable IPG may be considered the system of choice for patients undergoing ONS implant.
Authors: Kevin Benson; Rebecca McCrery; Chris Taylor; Osvaldo Padron; Bertil Blok; Stefan de Wachter; Andrea Pezzella; Jennifer Gruenenfelder; Mahreen Pakzad; Marie-Aimee Perrouin-Verbe; Philip Van Kerrebroeck; Jeffrey Mangel; Kenneth Peters; Michael Kennelly; Andrew Shapiro; Una Lee; Craig Comiter; Margaret Mueller; Howard Goldman; Felicia Lane Journal: Neurourol Urodyn Date: 2020-04-27 Impact factor: 2.696
Authors: Helen C U Ota; Brandon G Smith; Alexander Alamri; Faith C Robertson; Hani Marcus; Allison Hirst; Marike Broekman; Peter Hutchinson; Peter McCulloch; Angelos Kolias Journal: Acta Neurochir (Wien) Date: 2020-07-10 Impact factor: 2.216