A Retrospective, Single-Center Study Investigating the Effects of a Novel Miniature Wireless Spinal Cord Stimulation System for the Treatment of Chronic Back and Leg Pain

BACKGROUND: Tietze syndrome is believed to be a result of recurrent microtrauma and characterized by painful localized inflammation and swelling of the chest wall. Chronic inflammatory changes may infiltrate surrounding tissues, leading to nerve root irritation and subsequent neuralgia. Resultant chronic neuropathy has been historically treated with conservative therapies and local nerve blocks, but the role of implantable neurostimulators have not been well described. CASE REPORT: A 73-year-old woman presented with chronic pain in the left paracentral chest area with episodes of burning and tingling, which radiated to the left shoulder, left arm, and left upper side of the jaw and face. Following the implantation of a permanent neurostimulator, the patient reported a near complete resolution of her pain symptoms. CONCLUSION: The role of implantable neurostimulators in the treatment of chronic neuropathy in the setting of Tietze syndrome is promising and their use may become a mainstay option in the future. KEY WORDS: Tietze Syndrome, neuromodulation, spinal cord nerve stimulation, pain management, neuralgia, implantable spinal cord stimulator