Twiddler's syndrome in spinal cord stimulation

Twiddler's syndrome after dorsal root ganglion stimulation: A case report

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) is a promising therapy for chronic neuropathic pain, but complications of this therapy are poorly understood. Twiddler's syndrome, a rare complication characterized by lead displacement and coiling of wires, has been reported in other neuromodulation devices, but has not been described in the context of DRG-S. Here, we present a first-of-a-kind case report of Twiddler's syndrome occurring after 8 months of DRG-S. This case report highlights the importance of considering Twiddler's syndrome as a potential complication in patients undergoing DRG-S, especially in those with significant weight loss history.

Surgical management of "Twiddler syndrome" in patients with deep brain stimulation: a technical note and review of the literature

Background

The Twiddler syndrome (TS) describes a situation in which the implanted impulse generator (IPG) rotates several times around its own axis in the subcutaneous pocket. This can lead to severe mechanical damage of the leads and extensions and to dislocations.

Method

Hereby, we report on a technique for revision surgery in patients diagnosed with Twiddler syndrome after undergoing previous deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. For revision surgery, the TYRX ™ Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope was used.

Conclusion

The TS can be treated well with the envelope TYRX ™ Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope TYRX ™.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00701-022-05135-8.

[Minimally invasive implantation technique of a system for spinal cord stimulation]

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) targets structures of the dorsal column and dorsal horn of the spinal cord with electrical impulses, thereby, modulating pain perception. For chronic pain patients, e.g., in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), the aim is to achieve pain relief and enable patients to improve their quality of life.

INDICATIONS

Failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I and II, therapy-refractory ischemic pain, neuropathic pain syndromes (e.g., phantom limb pain).

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Identification of degenerative alterations as the cause of pain; untreated mental illness.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

A two-stage implantation technique is performed. Initially, after percutaneous implantation of epidural leads a trial period with stimulation by an external pulse generator is evaluated. Following verification of pain relief, a subcutaneous internal pulse generator is implanted.

FOLLOW-UP

Early mobilization and adjustment of stimulation parameters.

RESULTS

In all, 19 consecutive patients with FBSS were treated by high frequency SCS (HF-SCS) and included in a prospective prognostic study. In 18 patients, an internal pulse generator (IPG) for HF-SCS was permanently implanted. Therapy success was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and painDetect questionnaire. Neuropathic pain of the legs versus the back (median values: VAS leg 71 mm, VAS back 69 mm) was dominant in the patients at a preoperative mean ODI of 63%. With HF-SCS therapy, a pronounced pain reduction was seen and persisted in the follow-up after 6 months (VAS leg 18 mm, VAS back 24 mm). The ODI showed an improvement to a mean of 24% after 6 months.

Erosive Twiddler's Syndrome: A Severe Case with Externalization of the Pacemaker

Implantable pacemakers have been the mainstay of therapy for patients with severely decreased left ventricular ejection fractions and recurrent arrhythmias, among other cardiac pathology. Twiddler’s syndrome (TS) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of pacemaker therapy, defined as pacemaker malfunction in the setting of device lead dislodgment due to physical manipulation. Traditionally, there are three distinct TS variants (reeling, ratchet and coiling). This case offers evidence of a unique and new variant of TS, severe recurrent erosive subtype with pacemaker externalization.

Twiddler's Syndrome: A Rare Hardware Complication in Spinal Cord Stimulation

Twiddler's syndrome is an uncommon hardware complication involving the lead and pulse generators in cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, deep brain stimulators, and vagal nerve stimulators. However, until very recently, it had not been reported in spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Considering the incidence of hardware complications of spinal cord stimulation, there may be an underreporting of Twiddler's syndrome due to lack of awareness. Two cases of Twiddler's syndrome as a hardware complication of SCS were identified between 2005 and 2015. One patient with hardware failure due to Twiddler's syndrome refused to have a revision surgery. The other patient who had a lead migration associated with coiling of the lead and twisting of pulse generator needed a revision surgery. Twiddler's syndrome in patients treated with SCS is an uncommon but important adverse event. Awareness of characteristic presentation and radiologic finding is essential in the identification of Twiddler's syndrome in SCS.

Developing and Evaluating a Flexible Wireless Microcoil Array Based Integrated Interface for Epidural Cortical Stimulation

Stroke leads to serious long-term disability. Electrical epidural cortical stimulation has made significant improvements in stroke rehabilitation therapy. We developed a preliminary wireless implantable passive interface, which consists of a stimulating surface electrode, receiving coil, and single flexible passive demodulated circuit printed by flexible printed circuit (FPC) technique and output pulse voltage stimulus by inductively coupling an external circuit. The wireless implantable board was implanted in cats’ unilateral epidural space for electrical stimulation of the primary visual cortex (V1) while the evoked responses were recorded on the contralateral V1 using a needle electrode. The wireless implantable board output stable monophasic voltage stimuli. The amplitude of the monophasic voltage output could be adjusted by controlling the voltage of the transmitter circuit within a range of 5–20 V. In acute experiment, cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP) response was recorded on the contralateral V1. The amplitude of N2 in CCEP was modulated by adjusting the stimulation intensity of the wireless interface. These results demonstrated that a wireless interface based on a microcoil array can offer a valuable tool for researchers to explore electrical stimulation in research and the dura mater-electrode interface can effectively transmit electrical stimulation.