Abstract

PESUDO, J. V.  and  GONZALEZ-DARDER, J. M.. Electrical stimulation of the motor cortex for the management of central pain and peripheral pain caused by desafferentiation. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2004, vol.11, n.6, pp.62-71. ISSN 1134-8046.

Central pain and peripheral pain caused by desafferentation are difficult to treat even with last generation drugs. Electric stimulation of several structures has shown to be scarcely effective in general. Stimulation of motor cortex is a relatively new technique that seems to offer promising results in these disorders. While it is a simple technique from the surgical point of view, the adequate location of the motor cortex is not so easy, this being a significant condition for its effectiveness. In this paper we review the literature that has been published on the matter. Currently, its major indications are central pain, mainly thalamic, and trigeminal pain caused by desafferentation. The response to barbiturates without response to opiates, the relative preservation of motor and sensitive pathways and the response to transcranial magnetic stimulation predict a good result. Several methods are used to determine the area that has to be stimulated: SSEP, intraoperatory stimulation, neuronavegation, functional MRI. The stimulation parameters recommended vary according to the author. Its mechanism of action is still not well understood, but the most accepted theories are the activation of areas that modulate pain and the inhibition of the transmission of nociceptive stimuli at the medullar level.

Keywords : Electric stimulation; Motor cortex; Desefferentation.

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