Background: Occipital nerve stimulation is being used for various pain syndromes. Here, we expand its use for the treatment of refractory occipital pain after occipitocervical fusion.
Case description: We describe a case of occipital neuralgia in a 60-year-old man following posterior occipitocervical fusion. The maximum pain intensity was rated 9/10 on the visual analogue scale (VAS). Since pain proved to be refractory to analgetic medication, two quadripolar electrodes (Resume II, Medtronic) were implanted in the occipital region to stimulate the occipital nerve bilaterally. The patient experienced a dramatic response during test stimulation for 10 days with externalized electrodes, and a pacemaker (Synergy, Medtronic) was connected to the electrodes. While on chronic stimulation (bipolar 6 V, 210 mus, 130 Hz) improvement of pain was maintained, reflected by a decrease in the VAS score to 1/10 at 12 months of follow-up.
Conclusion: Occipital nerve stimulation for medical refractory occipital neuralgia after occipitocervical fusion is an effective method expanding the indications for its use.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.