A Case Report of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Acute Neuropathic Pain in Guillain-Barre Syndrome

A A Pract. 2020 Sep;14(11):e01315. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001315.

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a peripheral demyelinating neuromuscular disorder occasionally associated with pharmacologically refractory neuropathic pain. We present a case of acute neuropathic pain in a 22-year-old man with GBS managed with percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Following implantation of leads in the bilateral sciatic, femoral, and brachial plexus nerve distribution, the patient experienced significant pain reduction in both the upper and lower extremities. Analgesic and anxiolytic medications were reduced by 33% on the first day and by 78% on day 21. PNS is a minimally invasive, nonpharmacologic modality for treating acute neuropathic pain in GBS patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachial Plexus*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / complications
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuralgia* / etiology
  • Neuralgia* / therapy
  • Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*
  • Young Adult