Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spinal Cord High-Frequency Stimulation. The Current Experience and Future Directions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Funnel: From the Skull Base to the Sacrum

Part of the book series: Acta Neurochirurgica Supplement ((NEUROCHIRURGICA,volume 135))

  • 336 Accesses

Abstract

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a neuromodulation technology that has emerged as a valid treatment for chronic intractable neuropathic pain. After conventional tonic SCS, new waveforms of stimulation, like high frequency (HF), have proved that they can provide safe and effective pain relief. In addition, SCS is now being utilized more broadly as a potential treatment for a range of indications, including motor disorders and spasticity. Our study presents a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with heterogenous aetiologies of neuropathic pain treated with HF stimulation, after a standardized protocol in a temporary trial. We observed a significant improvement in pain relief according to comparisons of numerical rating scale (NRS) scores before the procedure, after the clinical trial and at latest follow-up. Two unusual clinical cases were also reported, and the pertinent literature was discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Turner JA, Loeser JD, Bell KG. Spinal cord stimulation for chronic low back pain: systematic literature synthesis. Neurosurgery. 1995;37:1088–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Nagel SJ, Wilson S, Johnson MD, Machado A, Frizon L, Chardon MK, Reddy CG, Gillies GT, Howard MA 3rd. Spinal cord stimulation for spasticity: historical approaches, current status, and future directions. Neuromodulation. 2017;20(4):307–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. North RB, Kidd DH, Farrokhi F, Piantadosi SA. Spinal cord stimulation versus repeated lumbosacral spine surgery for chronic pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Neurosurgery. 2005;56(1):98–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Al-Kaisy A, Van Buyten JP, Kapural L, Amirdelfan K, Gliner B, Caraway D, Subbaroyan J, Edgar D, Rotte A. 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of non-surgical refractory back pain: subanalysis of pooled data from two prospective studies. Anaesthesia. 2020;75(6):775–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Al-Kaisy A, Van Buyten JP, Smet I, Palmisani S, Pang D, Smith T. Sustained effectiveness of 10 kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation for patients with chronic, low back pain: 24-month results of a prospective multicenter study. Pain Med. 2014;15(3):347–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Mazzucchi E, Auricchio AM, Stifano V, Montano N. Unrecognized failed back surgery syndrome: a paradigmatic case in a very young patient. Acta Neurol Belg. 2018;118(3):523–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Al-Kaisy A, Palmisani S, Smith TE, Carganillo R, Houghton R, Pang D, Burgoyne W, Lam K, Lucas J. Long-term improvements in chronic axial low Back pain patients without previous spinal surgery: a cohort analysis of 10-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation over 36 months. Pain Med. 2018;19(6):1219–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Harmsen IE, Hasanova D, Elias G, Boutet A, Neudorfer C, Loh A, Germann J, Lozano AM. Trends in clinical trials for spinal cord stimulation. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2021;99(2):123–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Deer TR, Mekhail N, Provenzano D, Pope J, et al. The appropriate use of Neurostimulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system for the treatment of chronic pain and ischemic diseases: the neuromodulation appropriateness consensus committee. Neuromodulation. 2014;17:515–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Van Buyten JP, Al-Kaisy A, Smet I, Palmisani S, Smith T. High-frequency spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic back pain patients: results of a prospective multicenter European clinical study. Neuromodulation. 2013;16:59–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Tiede J, Brown L, Gekht G, Vallejo R, Yearwood T, Morgan D. Novel spinal cord stimulation parameters in patients with predominant back pain. Neuromodulation. 2013;16(4):370–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Visocchi M, Della Pepa GM, Esposito G, Tufo T, Zhang W, Li S, Zhong J. Spinal cord stimulation and cerebral hemodynamics: updated mechanism and therapeutic implications. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2011;89(5):263–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Visocchi M, Giordano A, Calcagni M, Cioni B, Di Rocco F, Meglio M. Spinal cord stimulation and cerebral blood flow in stroke: personal experience. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2001;76(3–4):262–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Siegfried J, Lazorthes Y, Broggi G. Electrical spinal cord stimulation for spastic movement disorders. Appl Neurophysiol. 1981;44(1–3):77–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Meglio M, Cioni B, Visocchi M. Cerebral hemodynamics during spinal cord stimulation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1991;14(1):127–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhong J, Huang DL, Sagher O, Visocchi M. Parameters influencing augmentation of cerebral blood flow by cervical spinal cord stimulation. Acta Neurochir. 2004;146:1227–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rejc E, Angeli CA. Spinal cord epidural stimulation for lower limb motor function recovery in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2019;30(2):337–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Davis R, Emmonds SE. Spinal cord stimulation for multiple sclerosis: quantifiable benefits. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 1992;58(1–4):52–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Koulousakis A, Buchhaas U, Nittner K. Application of SCS for movement disorders and spasticity. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 1987;39:112–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cioni B, Meglio M, Prezioso A, Talamonti G, Tirendi M. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in spastic hemiparesis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1989;12(4 Pt 2):739–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Dekopov AV, Shabalov VA, Tomsky AA, Hit MV, Salova EM. Chronic spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of cerebral and spinal spasticity. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2015;93(2):133–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rapisarda A, Ioannoni E, Izzo A, D'Ercole M, Montano N. Is there a place for spinal cord stimulation in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis? A systematic review of the literature. Minim Invasive Surg. 2021;2021:9969010.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Courtine G, van den Brand R, Musienko P. Spinal cord injury: time to move. Lancet. 2011;377(9781):1896–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Alessandro Izzo, Manuela D’Ercole, Alessandro Rapisarda, Filippo Maria Polli, Filomena Fuggetta, Alessandro Olivi & Nicola Montano

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Section, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Alessandro Rapisarda, Alessandro Olivi & Nicola Montano

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Section, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Massimiliano Visocchi

Authors
  1. Alessandro Izzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manuela D’Ercole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alessandro Rapisarda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Filippo Maria Polli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Filomena Fuggetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Alessandro Olivi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Massimiliano Visocchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Nicola Montano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Massimiliano Visocchi

Ethics declarations

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Izzo, A. et al. (2023). Spinal Cord High-Frequency Stimulation. The Current Experience and Future Directions. In: Visocchi, M. (eds) The Funnel: From the Skull Base to the Sacrum. Acta Neurochirurgica Supplement, vol 135. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36084-8_31

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36084-8_31

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-36083-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-36084-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation