Article

Peripheral nerve field stimulation: is age an indicator of outcome?

Metro Spinal Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Neuromodulation (impact factor: 1.19). 01/2009; 12(1):60-7. DOI:10.1111/j.1525-1403.2009.00190.x pp.60-7
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Objective.  This study aims to assess peripheral nerve field stimulation as a treatment option for chronic pain and test for indicators of outcome. Materials and Methods.  We reviewed all patients permanently implanted with peripheral nerve field stimulators over the past 24 months. A questionnaire was used to assess outcomes. Results.  Twenty-seven questionnaires were sent out and 23/27 responded. A significant average decrease of 4.02 visual analog scale points was observed. The average pain decrease for the low back was 3.77 points and 5.9 for occipital implants. An age effect was detected; younger patients (<60 years) reported an average pain relief of 4.79 points while older patients (>61 years) reported an average pain relief decrement of only 2.83 points. Most patients reported decreases in analgesic use after treatment. Pain relief was significantly and highly correlated with reduced analgesic intake and patient satisfaction. Conclusion.  Peripheral nerve field stimulation is a safe, reversible, and effective treatment option for patients with chronic pain, particularly those under 60 years.

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    Article: Subcutaneous stimulation: how to assess optimal implantation depth.
    David Abejón, Timothy Deer, Paul Verrills
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    ABSTRACT: Subcutaneous stimulation (peripheral nerve field stimulation) is a novel neuromodulation modality that has increased in its utilization during the last 10 years. It consists of introducing a lead in the subdermal level to stimulate the small nerve fibers in that layer. Unlike other neuromodulation techniques including direct peripheral nerve stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, or deep brain stimulation, the precise target is not identified. To date, there is no clear guideline on the appropriate depth or a method to achieve reproducibility of the appropriate depth to place these leads. From clinical experience, we have found that when electrodes are placed in a layer that is too superficial, stimulation is often painful or lacks efficacy. Further, if they are too deep, the patient may not feel adequate paresthesia or get uncomfortable stimulation including, in some circumstances, muscle contractions. In this small series, we demonstrate a novel concept using a radiofrequency stimulation probe to identify the appropriate depth to place the lead. Reproducibility of results will add clarity to the accumulating data and hopefully increase the chances of adequate stimulation coverage and pain relief.
    Neuromodulation 14(4):343-7; discussion 347-8. · 1.19 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

24 months
 
4.02 visual analog scale points
 
analgesic intake
 
analgesic use
 
average pain decrease
 
average pain relief
 
average pain relief decrement
 
chronic pain
 
Conclusion. Peripheral nerve field stimulation
 
Methods.
 
occipital implants
 
older patients
 
Pain relief
 
patient satisfaction
 
patients
 
peripheral nerve field stimulation
 
peripheral nerve field stimulators
 
Results. Twenty-seven questionnaires
 
significant average decrease
 
younger patients
 

Paul Verrills