Complications and Effects of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation is a novel treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and has been shown to be efficacious across several case reports and randomized trials. However, long-term follow-up is limited, as are reports of complication rates. This study presents efficacy and complications for patients treated with DRG stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, multicenter cohort study of all patients in Denmark implanted with FDA-approved DRG stimulation systems to treat chronic, neuropathic pain between 2014 and 2018. Follow-up period was one to three years. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent trial DRG stimulation; 33 were subsequently fully implanted. Pain location: 58% lower extremity; 21% upper extremity; 21% thoracic/abdominal. At the end of the observation period, 58% of fully implanted patients were still implanted; 42% had fully functional systems. In these patients, average Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)-score of pain was reduced from 6.8 to 3.5 (p = 0.00049) and worst NRS-score was reduced from 8.6 to 6.0 (p = 0.0039) at 12 months follow-up. Pain Catastrophizing Score was reduced from 32 to 15 (p = 0.0039). Thirteen patients experienced complications related to defect leads (39% of implanted systems). In four patients (12%), lead removal left fragments in the root canal due to lead fracture, and three patients suffered permanent nerve damage during attempts to replace broken leads. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a significant, clinically relevant effect of DRG stimulation on neuropathic pain, but also demonstrates substantial problems with maintenance and revision of currently available systems. Consequently, treatment with equipment marketed specifically for DRG stimulation is currently paused in Denmark.

[Subcutaneous myxopapillary ependymoma]. / Subkutant myksopapillært ependymom

Subcutaneous myxopapillary ependymoma is a very rare entity, and to our knowledge this is the first published case from Denmark. A previously healthy 32-year-old male presented with subcutaneous swelling and tenderness located at the top of the intergluteal cleft. The circular soft tumour, measuring 1.7 × 1.7 × 1.2 cm, was removed surgically. After histopathological examination with several immunohistochemical and special stainings, the diagnosis surprisingly was subcutaneous myxopapillary ependymoma. The tumour was removed with free margins and no metastases were found on follow-up CT- and MRI scans.

Positive experience with intrathecal baclofen treatment in children with severe cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of severe spasticity and dystonia with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) in children has been shown to be effective and has therefore been employed in the Region of Southern Denmark. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the efficacy and adverse events since ITB was introduced in 2003. METHODS: A total of 46 children who had a baclofen pump from April 2003 to January 2013 were included. The children's medical records were reviewed and clinical characteristics, efficacy and adverse events were registered. The efficacy of treatment experienced by parents was ascertained by telephone interviews, and data were rated on a Likert scale ranging from one to five, where one was no effect and five was marked improvement. RESULTS: After ITB, spasticity was reduced from a median of four to two in the upper extremities and from a median of four to one in the lower extremities. Baclofen infusion was 105.1-2,000 micrograms/day (mean 494.9 micrograms/day). Oral baclofen was reduced from 27.3 to 17.7 mg/day after ITB (p < 0.01). The parents' assessment of improvement in well-being, function and ease of care of their child had a mean score of 3.7, 2.2 and 3.4, respectively. 87.1% of parents stated that ITB had been worthwhile, and 90.3% would recommend it to other parents. Most infectious and mechanical adverse events were experienced during the first 200 days after pump implantation. The total complication rate was 0.40 per pump year. CONCLUSION: ITB resulted in reduced spasticity in children with severe spasticity and dystonia, and ITB could be considered safe. Parents' satisfaction with ITB was rated as good and most parents would recommend ITB to others. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Perindopril and residual chronic subdural hematoma volumes six weeks after burr hole surgery: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrence rates of between 5% and 25% have been reported following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSH). A previous study showed that the treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors decreases the risk of recurrence. To test the effects of ACE inhibitors on the recurrence CSH and CSH remnant six weeks after surgery, we conducted a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial on patients with CSHs from July 2009 until October 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients eligible for burr hole surgery for CSH were randomized into either an ACE inhibitor perindopril 5mg or placebo treatment daily for three months prior to surgery. Cerebral CT scans were performed after six weeks, and clinical follow-ups were performed three months after surgery. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of the data and CT scans from all nonrandomized patients from the same time period was performed. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were included in the randomized study. The patients' preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores were 15. None of the patients in the randomized group developed a recurrence after surgery. Measurements of the sizes of the CSH before and six weeks after surgery revealed no difference between the placebo and perindopril-treated groups. In the retrospective group (245 patients), there was no correlation between the risk of recurrence and ACE inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that perindopril does not diminish the size of residual CSHs six weeks after burr hole surgery and that ACE inhibitors do not decrease the risk of CSH recurrence.