Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
-
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an external auditory stimulus. It is widely believed that tinnitus, in patients with associated hearing loss, is a neurological phenomenon primarily affecting the central auditory structures. However, there is growing evidence for the involvement of the somatosensory system in this form of tinnitus. For this reason it has been suggested that the condition may be amenable to bi-modal stimulation of the auditory and somatosensory systems. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the feasibility and safety of a device that delivers simultaneous auditory and somatosensory stimulation to treat the symptoms of chronic tinnitus. ⋯ This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of a new bi-modal stimulation device and supports the potential efficacy of this new treatment for tinnitus.
-
Case Reports
Inhibition of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials During Different Modalities of Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Case Report.
Although the number of patients with chronic neuropathic pain treated by spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is continuously increasing, its analgesic mechanism remains to be elucidated. Previous studies have demonstrated that classical SCS (low stimulation frequency evoking paresthesia) inhibits the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). ⋯ All the tested SCS modalities are able to inhibit SEPs and thus the lemniscal system. In particular, both paresthesia and paresthesia free SCS affect SEPs in the same manner. The presence of this inhibitory effect during paresthesia free modalities suggests that it is independent from the generation of action potentials, with a probable mechanism acting at the stimulation site. Further studies investigating the relationship between the inhibition of the lemniscal system and the analgesic effect of the SCS are, therefore, warranted.
-
Sacral chordoma is a rare malignant tumor arising from remnants of the notochord. Due to its propensity for recurrence, the treatment of choice is surgical resection. Orthopedic and neurosurgical literature describe bladder dysfunction as prevalent in these patients, specifically urinary incontinence, however urologic literature is lacking in the exact nature of this dysfunction. Thus far, Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) has not been described as a treatment option for these patients. ⋯ We are the first to report the successful use of SNS to treat nonobstructive urinary retention after partial sacral resection. Additional patients and long term follow-up will be required to support consistent usage of neuromodulation in this patient population.
-
Reliable transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures for probing corticomotor excitability are important when assessing the physiological effects of noninvasive brain stimulation. The primary objective of this study was to examine test-retest reliability of an interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) index measurement in stroke. ⋯ IHI indices demonstrated varying magnitudes of reliability irrespective of MEP quantification method. Several strategies for improving IHI index measurement reliability are discussed.
-
The aim of this study was to report on four patients with craniocervical dystonia (CCD) treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). In addition, we investigated the treatment efficacy and surgical outcome predictors by the review and analysis of previously published studies. ⋯ GPi/STN-DBS is an effective treatment for patients with medically refractory CCD, including those with severe preoperative symptoms. The age at CCD onset and the disease duration do not predict improvement in movement scores.