A Late Complication Related to Percutaneous Implantable Leads for Spinal Cord Stimulation: Myelopathy due to Fibrous Scar Tissue

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman, after surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome, developed complex regional pain syndrome in her right upper limb. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrodes were placed at the C2-C5 level. A conventional low-frequency tonic stimulation was carried out, which attenuated pain. However, 4 years later, left-sided motor weakness and tolerance to SCS therapy occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed epidural granulation tissue around the electrodes that severely compressed the cervical cord. We surgically removed the granuloma, which attenuated motor weakness. A histological examination showed that an allergic reaction to platinum or the insulator appeared responsible for fibrosis.