Management of HIV-Related Polyneuropathy with Spinal Cord Management of HIV-Related Polyneuropathy with Spinal Cord Neuromodulation: A New Clinical Indication Neuromodulation: A New Clinical Indication

Vinaya K. Puppala, MD, Zeb McMillan, MD, N. Nick Knezevic, MD, PhD, Kenneth D. Candido, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60657 USA

DiscussionAbstract

References

Case Description

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established technique currently

indicated for management of failed-back surgery syndrome (FBSS),1 complex regional pain syndrome

(CRPS),2 inoperable peripheral vascular disease (PVD),3 and refractory

angina pectoris.4 We describe the first reported case utilizing spinal cord

stimulator neuromodulation to safely and effectively manage debilitating pain

in a 50-year-old male with HIV-related polyneuropathy refractory to

conservative treatments.

1. LeDoux MS. Spine 1993;18:191-4.2. Kemler MA. N Engl J Med 2000;343:618-24.3. Augustinsson LE. J Neurosurg Sci 2003;47:37-40.4. Borjesson M. Pain 2008;140:501-8.5. Simpson DM. Neurol Clin 1992;10:685.6. Kim YS. Clin Infect Dis 1993;17:32-7.7. Morgello S. Arch Neurol 2004;61:546-51.

Introduction

HIV-related sensory polyneuropathy represents the most common

neurologic complication of HIV infection and reflects several distinct etiologies:

• Direct HIV-induced nerve damage5

• Complications of opportunistic pathogens, e.g. CMV infection6

• Toxic neuropathy from highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)7

Management is limited to opioids, anticonvulsants, lidoderm, and capsaicin which may offer limited relief.

An interventional approach may be indicated for patients whose symptoms are refractory to conservative measures.

Figure 1. Intraoperative lateral fluoroscopic view revealing first SCS lead satisfactorily directed into dorsal epidural

space

Figure 2. Intraoperative anteroposterior fluoroscopic view revealing two SCS leads satisfactorily directed to

T9-T10 interspace

• The patient has reported a remarkable analgesic response to his pain. His quality of life has improved tremendously, and he participates

in activities of daily living without hardship.

• Prevalence of HIV-related neuropathy may rise nationwide as HAART usage and HIV survival

rates increase, resulting in higher referral rates to pain practitioners for analgesic strategies.

• To our knowledge this is the first presented report establishing the efficacy of SCS in the

management of HIV-related polyneuropathy. For patients whose HIV-related pain is refractory to

conventional treatment modalities, an interventional approach with SCS

neuromodulation may be a safe, viable, and efficacious option.

• A 50-year-old male with 20-year history of HIV infection was referred in May 2009 complaining of an eight-year history of excruciating lower extremity pain and plantar dysesthesias associated with difficulty ambulating,

exacerbated over the past year.

• He was on HAART (tenofovir, emtricitabine, and etravirine), with pain refractory to gabapentin, pregabalin, tramadol, amitriptyline, duloxetine, hydrocodone, tylenol, and epidural injections. He sought SCS to improve his

life.

• Two 14-gauge Touhy needles were advanced into the epidural space using loss of resistance and two eight-contact St. Jude SCS electrodes were fluoroscopically guided to T9-T10. Dorsal column stimulation resulted in

concordant coverage of the patient's usual pain distribution. Electrodes were anchored and connected to an external generator.

• On follow-up the patient reported an excellent analgesic response, and the procedure was repeated. The leads were permanently anchored to dorsal fascia and tunneled to a subcutaneously-implanted pulse generator in the

right flank region.

Conclusion

HIV-related neuropathy may thus be an important new clinical application for SCS neuromodulation in addition to existing indications of FBSS, CRPS, PVD, and refractory angina.