MOTOR CORTEX STIMULATION AS TREATMENT OF TRIGEMINAL NEUROPATHIC PAIN

A report is given on first experiences with motor cortex stimulation i n 10 patients with different forms of neuropathic pain. Three of them had central pain as sequelae of cerebrovascular disease. In none of th em did the stimulation provide pain relief. Two patients had pain from peripheral nerve injuries. One did not respond, but the other obtaine d about 50% pain relief. The remaining 5 patients with trigeminal neur opathy experienced definite pain relief varying between 60 and 90%. Du ring test stimulation most patients had one or two short-lasting gener alized seizures. But no one had any motor effects after permanent impl antation. Motor cortex stimulation appears to be a new and promising p ossibility of pain treatment, especially in cases with trigeminal neur opathy, but many problems have yet to be solved, before a clear indica tion could be given.