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Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury: two case reports

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Abstract

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) often causes severe neuropathic pain that becomes chronic and difficult to treat pharmacologically or surgically. Here, we describe two cases of successful treatment of BPI with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Both patients had experienced severe neuropathic pain after incomplete BPI for a long time (32 and 17 years) and did not response to medication, radiofrequency neuroablation, or spinal cord stimulation. After PNS using ultrasound, their pain was relieved by more than 50% over the course of 1 year. Both patients were satisfied with their improved sleep and quality of life. We conclude that PNS could be an alternative therapeutic modality for neuropathic pain after BPI as it provides direct nerve stimulation, has few complications, and is easy to perform.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gotbareun Intervention Pain Management Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jung Hyun Kim

  2. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-ro, Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 07345, Republic of Korea

    Sang Ho Shin, Young Rong Lee, Hyo Seon Lee, Jin Young Chon, Choon Ho Sung, Sung Jin Hong, Ji Young Lee & Ho Sik Moon

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  1. Jung Hyun Kim
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  2. Sang Ho Shin
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  3. Young Rong Lee
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  4. Hyo Seon Lee
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  5. Jin Young Chon
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  6. Choon Ho Sung
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  7. Sung Jin Hong
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  8. Ji Young Lee
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  9. Ho Sik Moon
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Correspondence to Ho Sik Moon.

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Kim, J.H., Shin, S.H., Lee, Y.R. et al. Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury: two case reports. J Anesth 31, 453–457 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-017-2315-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-017-2315-5

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