• Paul L Penar and Joseph McSherry.
• Division of Neurosurgery, The University of Vermont College of Medicine and Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. paul.penar@vtmednet.org
• Neuromodulation. 2011 Jul 1;14(4):326-8; discussion 328-9.

ObjectiveWe describe a technique for placement of a cervical spinal cord electrode under general anesthesia using the contacts as cortical evoked potential stimulating electrodes.MethodsA 37-year-old man required revision of the percutaneous lead of a spinal cord stimulator system placed for right upper extremity pain. A Resume-TL laminotomy lead was inserted at the C5-6 interspace in the prone position under general anesthesia. The contacts were functionally over the right dorsal column by evoked potential recording, despite the apparent midline position of the lead.ResultsPostoperatively, the patient had excellent coverage and pain relief at the right shoulder and extremity. There was no stimulation perceived on the left side of the body.ConclusionThis technique allows for intraoperative testing under general anesthesia in laminotomy lead placement to localize the optimal position of the lead.© 2011 International Neuromodulation Society.

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