Allergic reaction to spinal cord stimulator

Objective: The objective was to report on the possibility of allergic react ion to the components of a spinal cord stimulator. Design: We describe a severe allergic reaction after the insertion of a spi nal cord stimulator in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 . Setting: The patient was being followed in an office-based pain management practice. Patient: The patient is a 41-year-old woman with complex regional pain synd rome type II posttrauma. Intervention: Insertion of a cervical and lumbar spinal cord stimulator. Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were a numerical scale of pain inten sity and the ability to perform the activities of daily living. Results: Adequate pain central complicated by allergic reaction. Conclusions: There exists a possibility that a patient may experience an al lergic reaction to spinal cord stimulator components. Recognition of such c ontact sensitivity is important for physicians implanting such devices. Pat ients may be misdiagnosed as having infections, which can delay appropriate management; definitive diagnosis can be confirmed with a patch test. Treat ment consists of removal of such devices.