Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Neuropathic Pain Caused by Traumatic Lumbosacral Plexopathy after Extensive Pelvic Fracture.

Choi, Kyoung Chul; Son, Byung Chul; Hong, Jae Taek; Lee, Sang Won

Case Report

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2005;38(3): 234-237.

Kyoung Chul Choi, Byung Chul Son, Jae Taek Hong, Sang Won Lee

Department of Neurosurgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea. sbc@catholic.ac.kr

ABSTRACT

The neuropathic pain caused by lumbosacral plexopathy as a sequela to extensive pelvic and sacral fractures is rare because many posttraumatic cases remain undiagnosed as a result of the high mortality associated with these types of injury and because of the survivors of multiple trauma, including pelvic fractures, frequently have an incomplete work-up. Although surgical treatments for medically refractory lumbosacral plexus avulsion pain have been reported, an effective surgical technique for pain relief in lumbosacral plexopathy has not been well documented. We describe the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in a patient suffering from severe neuropathic pain caused by lumbosacral plexopathy after an extensive pelvic fracture.

Key Words: Neuropathic pain; Lumbosacral plexopathy; Pelvic fracture; Spinal cord stimulation