Peri-procedural Management of Implanted Spinal Cord Stimulators in Patients Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Report and Manufacturer-Specific Recommendations

Newaj Abdullah; Casey Muir; Jason S Eldrige; Matthew J Pingree; Jonathan M Hagedorn

doi:10.1111/papr.12860

Peri-procedural Management of Implanted Spinal Cord Stimulators in Patients Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Report and Manufacturer-Specific Recommendations

Pain Pract. 2020 Apr;20(4):405-411. doi: 10.1111/papr.12860. Epub 2019 Dec 15.

Authors

Newaj Abdullah¹, Casey Muir², Jason S Eldrige², Matthew J Pingree², Jonathan M Hagedorn²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.

PMID: 31746540
DOI: 10.1111/papr.12860

Abstract

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are 2 common modalities used in management of various pain conditions. RFA generates heat and an electromagnetic field that can theoretically interfere with the functionality and longevity of the SCS device. This is problematic for patients who need RFA and have previously undergone implantation of an SCS device.

Case description: We present a case highlighting the safe use of bipolar RFA in a patient who had previously undergone implantation of a cervical SCS device.

Discussion: We also present device-specific industry guidelines and recommendations for performing RFA in patients following SCS device implantation.

Keywords: chronic pain; radiofrequency ablation; safety; spinal cord stimulation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Catheter Ablation / methods*
Combined Modality Therapy / methods*
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / therapy*
Electrodes, Implanted
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pain Management / methods*
Spinal Cord Stimulation* / instrumentation