Management of post-cervical laminectomy fusion pain syndrome with a successful trial of spinal cord stimulation

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to be beneficial in various postsurgical neuropathic pain syndromes, but the already small cervical epidural space due to epidural fibrosis makes cervical spinal cord stimulator placement very difficult. We present a case of successful cervical cord stimulator implantation in a patient with a history of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, posterior cervical fusion, and significant epidural fibrosis. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and fibromyalgia presented with trauma-induced cervicalgia and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. RESULTS: In a 4-day trial of stimulation, she reported an 80% reduction of her pain and significant improvement in her quality of life. DISCUSSION: Although anecdotal evidence and case series have shown spinal cord stimulation to be successful in cervical failed back surgery syndrome, we are the first to discuss the technical challenges and complications associated with epidural fibrosis.