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Spinal cord stimulation does not change peripheral skin blood flow in patients with neuropathic pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2005

M. Ather ,
P. Di Vadi ,
D. Light ,
J. R. Wedley  and
W. C. Hamann
M. Ather
Affiliation:
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Pain Management Unit, London, UK
P. Di Vadi
Affiliation:
University Hospital Lewisham, Department of Anaesthetics and Pain Management, London, UK
D. Light
Affiliation:
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Pain Management Unit, London, UK
J. R. Wedley
Affiliation:
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Pain Management Unit, London, UK
W. C. Hamann
Affiliation:
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Pain Management Unit, London, UK University Hospital Lewisham, Department of Anaesthetics and Pain Management, London, UK
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Extract

Summary

Background and objective: Spinal cord stimulation has been used successfully for many years in the management of neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pathways are closely integrated into many autonomic reflexes. The aim was to test the hypothesis that pain relief caused by spinal cord stimulation is related to changes in peripheral skin blood flow.

Methods: Twelve patients with spinal cord stimulators implanted as a treatment for neuropathic pain were entered into the study. Laser Doppler perfusion scanning was used as a direct method for selective measurement of changes in skin (peripheral) blood flow. Measurements were taken before and after the onset of spinal cord stimulation over the site of its sensory projection. The degree of pain relief due to spinal cord stimulation and the skin temperature of each patient were also recorded.

Results: Apart from one patient, spinal cord stimulation did not change skin blood flow in a statistically significant manner.

Conclusions: Pain relief due to spinal cord stimulation is not related to changes of skin blood flow.

Keywords

INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES, laser Doppler flowmetry, rheologyNEUROLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS, painPHYSICAL STIMULATION, electric stimulation, spinal cord
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 20 , Issue 9 , September 2003 , pp. 736 - 739
Copyright
© 2003 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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