Cervical Retrograde Spinal Cord Stimulation Lead Placement to Treat Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Spinal cord stimulation is an effective treatment modality for refractory neuropathic pain conditions, but the placement of leads can be challenging due to unforeseen anatomical variations. We used a retrograde C7-T1 approach to place a lead at the bottom of T8 in a patient suffering from failed back surgery syndrome. We were able to achieve adequate stimulation in her lower back and legs, which resulted in significant reduction in pain intensity during the spinal cord stimulation trial. Cervical retrograde placement of leads may represent an alternative method for successful placement of percutaneous leads in patients with abnormal anatomy due to thoracic postsurgical changes.