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High frequency dorsal column spinal cord stimulation for management of erythromelalgia
  1. Christopher M Lam1,
  2. Hadi Zayed2 and
  3. Dawood Sayed1
  1. 1Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
  2. 2University of Kansas Medical Center School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Christopher M Lam; clam2{at}kumc.edu

Abstract

Erythromelalgia is a rare hereditary channelopathy affecting the Nav1.7 sodium channel. Patients afflicted with this condition suffer from pain in their hands and feet, with vasomotor changes including flushing and redness to the distal upper and lower extremities. Current treatment modalities for this condition include pharmacological therapies (neuropathic medications), behavioural interventions, lumbar epidural infusions with local anaesthetics and sympathetic nerve blocks. Despite these treatments, many patients may have refractory pain. In these situations, there may be a role for dorsal column spinal cord stimulation for management of their pain. Here, we present the case of a 21-year-old man with 9-year history of refractory erythromelalgia successfully treated with paresthesia-free dorsal column spinal cord stimulation.

  • pain
  • pain (neurology)

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Footnotes

  • Contributors CML participated in literature review, manuscript writing and critical review of manuscript. HZ participated in literature review, manuscript writing. DS participated in patient care and critical review of manuscript.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests DS is a consultant and speaker for Nevro.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.