Management of patients with pain.

Out of an early study of 74 patients treated for pain at our facilities, 14 were selected for dorsal column stimulation (DCS). Compared to a control group on medications, the DCS patients benefited in terms of reduced amounts of pain relievers needed. One patient showed transient loss of somatosensory evoked potentials in association with the use of a high frequency stimulator at the cervical level, as possible evidence of the potential dangers to neural tissue related to the use of bioelectrical devices. However, despite the development of pain centers, new neurosurgical methods including bioelectrical equipment should be devised for treatment of pain patients who are referred from these multidisciplinary centers for neurosurgical treatment.