Thomas Simopoulos
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View article: Cylindrical Lead Spinal Cord Stimulators: Common Device-Related Issues
Cylindrical Lead Spinal Cord Stimulators: Common Device-Related Issues Open
A comprehensive review of device-related complications from cylindrical lead spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implants was previously published. [1] Although SCS remains a minimally invasive treatment for neuropathic pain, hardware-related pro…
View article: Standalone anteroposterior contrast spread pattern is insufficient to distinguish lumbar epidural from extradural spread: A prospective study
Standalone anteroposterior contrast spread pattern is insufficient to distinguish lumbar epidural from extradural spread: A prospective study Open
This study reveals that utilizing a standalone AP view without a CLO view was inadequate to distinguish epidural from non-epidural spread. Specifically, our study supports the continued use of CLO depth views to identify epidural contrast …
View article: Long-Term Outcomes of Post Dural Puncture Headache Treated With Epidural Blood Patch: A Pilot Study
Long-Term Outcomes of Post Dural Puncture Headache Treated With Epidural Blood Patch: A Pilot Study Open
Background Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a known complication which may occur in the setting of patients undergoing lumbar punctures (LP) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The gold standard for treating a PDPH is an epidural…
View article: Spinal Cord Stimulator Complication Rates: A Single-Institution, 22-Year Study (1999-2021)
Spinal Cord Stimulator Complication Rates: A Single-Institution, 22-Year Study (1999-2021) Open
The rate of SCS-related complications decreased from one group to the next, with the most recent group demonstrating a statistically significant decrease in both device and biological complications. Our results are consistent with SCS lite…
View article: The Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Use in Service Members and Veterans with Migraine and Post-Traumatic Headache Disorders: A Scoping Review
The Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Use in Service Members and Veterans with Migraine and Post-Traumatic Headache Disorders: A Scoping Review Open
The occupational exposure of service members appears to result in a higher incidence of headache disorders such as chronic migraine and PTH, which are amenable to preventative management such as that with botulinum toxin. Despite its effec…
View article: Single Institutional Cross-Sectional Phone Survey Study: Evaluation of Causes for Loss to Follow-up After Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation
Single Institutional Cross-Sectional Phone Survey Study: Evaluation of Causes for Loss to Follow-up After Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation Open
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is often an option of last resort for patients with post-laminectomy syndrome or an alternative option for patients with complex regional pain syndrome, chronic nonsurgical low back pain, or painfu…
View article: Validation of thoracolumbar injury classification and Severity Score in the management of acute and subacute Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures – A pilot study and a suggested modification
Validation of thoracolumbar injury classification and Severity Score in the management of acute and subacute Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures – A pilot study and a suggested modification Open
TLICS score correctly predicted operative versus non-operative management in all patients with OVCF. TLICS may be used in making management decisions, and in the triage of these patients for operative versus non-operative evaluations. Our …
View article: Case Series: Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome in the Setting of Spinal Cord Injury
Case Series: Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome in the Setting of Spinal Cord Injury Open
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive neuromodulation treatment modality primarily indicated for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). When FBSS occurs in the setting of spinal cord injury (SCI) it can often be r…
View article: Incidence of subsequent surgical decompression following minimally invasive approaches to treat lumbar spinal stenosis: A retrospective review
Incidence of subsequent surgical decompression following minimally invasive approaches to treat lumbar spinal stenosis: A retrospective review Open
Background Context Surgical decompression is the definitive treatment for managing symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis; however, select patients are poor surgical candidates. Consequently, minimally invasive procedures have gained popularit…
View article: Comparative Descriptive Analysis of Physician Versus Patient-Directed Gabapentin Usage In Chronic Pain – A Preliminary Report
Comparative Descriptive Analysis of Physician Versus Patient-Directed Gabapentin Usage In Chronic Pain – A Preliminary Report Open
BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is one of the most common medications employed in Pain Medicine, specifically targeting the management of neuropathic pain. We are most familiar with the incremental dosing strategy where a ceiling dose is eventually…
View article: Review: Discogenic Back Pain: Update on Treatment
Review: Discogenic Back Pain: Update on Treatment Open
Purpose of Review Lower back pain (LBP) has a lifetime prevalence of 80% in the United States population. Discogenic back pain (DBP), a subcategory of LBP, occurs as a result of the interverbal disc degeneration without disc herniation. Di…
View article: Notalgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment
Notalgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment Open
Purpose of Review: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a chronic cutaneous neuropathy primarily characterized by localized pruritus and associated dysesthesias, including sensations of pain, numbness, and tingling. The sensory neuropathy charact…
View article: A Survey on the Choice of Spinal Cord Stimulation Parameters and Implantable Pulse Generators and on Reasons for Explantation
A Survey on the Choice of Spinal Cord Stimulation Parameters and Implantable Pulse Generators and on Reasons for Explantation Open
Objective Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a vital treatment for chronic intractable pain. In the last few years, the field has undergone dramatic changes in new waveform and frequency introduction as well as device miniaturization. It is …
View article: Cervical spinal cord stimulator trial complicated by epidural abscess
Cervical spinal cord stimulator trial complicated by epidural abscess Open
Anesthesiology, Pain Management.
View article: Spinal Cord Stimulation for Post Total Knee Replacement Pain: A Case Series
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Post Total Knee Replacement Pain: A Case Series Open
It is not uncommon for orthopedic patients to experience pain following a total knee replacement (TKR). Use of oral pain medications, nerve blocks, and periarticular injections are implemented to provide multimodal analgesia and to reduce …
View article: Dural Puncture During Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion: Analysis of Practice Patterns
Dural Puncture During Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion: Analysis of Practice Patterns Open
Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an important modality for intractable pain not amenable to less conservative measures. During percutaneous SCS lead insertion, a critical step is safe access to the epidural space, which can be …
View article: Contralateral and Lateral Views: Analysis of the Technical Aspects of Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion
Contralateral and Lateral Views: Analysis of the Technical Aspects of Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion Open
Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment modality for neuropathic pain. The critical part of this technique is safe access to the epidural space for lead placement. There have been innovations in radiological v…
View article: Antibiotics for Spinal Cord Stimulation Trials and Implants: A Survey Analysis of Practice Patterns
Antibiotics for Spinal Cord Stimulation Trials and Implants: A Survey Analysis of Practice Patterns Open
Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment modality for neuropathic pain. Published guidelines exist to aid physicians in proper antibiotic use during and after spinal cord stimulation trials and implants. In thi…
View article: Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Lead Placement Under Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia
Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Lead Placement Under Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia Open
This survey provides initial data on SCS practices among a large cohort of clinicians who utilize SCS. SCS lead placement under deep sedation and general anesthesia appears to be common practice for many physicians who perform implants. Th…
View article: Improved Pain Control with Combination Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy Utilizing Sub-perception and Traditional Paresthesia Based Waveforms: A Pilot Study
Improved Pain Control with Combination Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy Utilizing Sub-perception and Traditional Paresthesia Based Waveforms: A Pilot Study Open
Background: Chronic back and neck pain affects 20% of Americans. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective therapy for otherwise refractory chronic pain. Traditional SCS relies on low-frequency stimulus in the 40 - 60 Hz range causing …
View article: Epidural Blood Patch does not Contribute to the Development of Chronic Low Back Pain in Patients who Undergo Lumbar Punctures: A Pilot Study.
Epidural Blood Patch does not Contribute to the Development of Chronic Low Back Pain in Patients who Undergo Lumbar Punctures: A Pilot Study. Open
Our findings suggest that dural puncture patients undergoing EBP do not experience low back pain with increased frequency compared to dural puncture patients not undergoing EBP. Higher prevalence of LBP compared to baseline and compared to…