Late onset cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around the spinal cord stimulation electrode

Abstract

Study design: Case report.

Objectives: To report the late onset of cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around an epidural electrode implanted for spinal cord stimulation (SCS).

Setting: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hoshigaoka Koseinenkin Hospital, Osaka, Japan.

Method and results: A 49-year-old man who had an electrode implanted for SCS 5 years ago was referred to our department on 2 March 2005, complaining of difficulty using chopsticks and walking. A computed tomography scan with myelography revealed severe spinal cord compression around the epidural electrode. Surgical removal of the electrode was not effective. Removal of fibrous scar tissue during a second surgery significantly improved his neurological symptoms.

Conclusion: Late onset cervical myelopathy secondary to fibrous scar tissue formation around the epidural electrode should be considered a possible event associated with SCS therapy.