Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Implant for Superior Cluneal Neuralgia in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND

Superior cluneal neuralgia is a recognized but often underdiagnosed cause of chronic axial low back and leg pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has shown promise in treating neuropathic pain disorders.

CASE REPORT: We report 2 patients-one with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and another with idiopathic neuropathy-who underwent PNS implantation for superior cluneal neuralgia. Both patients were on high doses of neuropathic pain medications (gabapentin or pregabalin), and one was also taking duloxetine. Following implantation, both experienced marked pain relief, allowing reduction and eventual discontinuation of these medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Freedom® Peripheral Nerve Stimulator System (Curonix LLC) showed reductions in pain, alongside a favorable safety profile. These results support the clinical utility of high-frequency electromagnetic coupling-based PNS as a minimally invasive and clinically valuable treatment option for chronic neuropathic pain and highlight its potential to reduce the intake of pharmacologic agents.