Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Treatment of Pediatric Erythromelalgia

World Neurosurg. 2020 Oct:142:388-390. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.06.231. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Abstract

Background: In children, erythromelalgia is a rare but difficult to manage condition that results in bilateral episodic pain and redness in distal extremities. It is heat intolerant and relieved by cooling. Management of erythromelalgia is difficult and requires a complex multidisciplinary approach.

Case description: We present a case of successful treatment of erythromelalgia with short-term spinal cord stimulation in a 12-year-old girl. The patient had severe burning pain, having undergone trials of multiple medical therapies before presenting to our department. Dual-lead spinal cord stimulator electrodes were successfully implanted without complication, leading to excellent pain control, now 8 months postimplant.

Conclusions: This case spurs interest for future research in neuromodulation as part of the multimodal regimen to treat pediatric erythromelalgia.

Keywords: Child; Erythromelalgia; Spinal cord stimulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Erythromelalgia / complications
  • Erythromelalgia / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neuralgia / etiology
  • Neuralgia / therapy
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / methods*