Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37932816›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical case reports2023

Spinal cord stimulator explant caused by post-incisional cellulitis secondary to Varicella Zoster Virus (shingles) infection: a case report.

Vahid Mohabbati, Mohammadkazem Papan

Open access · goldAbstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical case reports, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact, top 70% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed, 0 citations in OpenAlex.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Vahid MohabbatiSydney Pain Research Centre, Suite 213-215 Parkway SAN Clinic, 172 Fox Valley Rd Wahroonga, Sydney, NSW, 2076, Australia. director@sydneypaincentre.com.
Mohammadkazem PapanSydney Pain Research Centre, Suite 213-215 Parkway SAN Clinic, 172 Fox Valley Rd Wahroonga, Sydney, NSW, 2076, Australia.
Australian Pain Society · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionSpinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a well-established therapy for refractory neuropathic pain, known for its safety and minimally-invasive nature. However, complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs), can arise post-implantation. SCS-related SSIs occur in 3.4% to 4.6% of cases within 90 days post-implant, often requiring device removal and impacting pain management and healthcare costs. The impulse generator, electrode implant site and lumbar/thoracic surgical site are commonly affected, with local skin flora and circulating organisms being the primary causes of infection. CASE PRESENTATION: An 80-year-old Lebanese male with chronic neuropathic lower back and bilateral leg pain, significantly impairing function, underwent prolonged hospitalizations for COVID-19 infection and acute-on-chronic pain with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Considering SCS as a therapeutic option, a successful trial led to permanent implantation, resulting in improved pain severity and functional capacity. However, three months later, the patient developed post-incisional cellulitis and wound dehiscence secondary to Varicella Zoster Virus (shingles) Infection directly over the Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) incision line. Despite antibiotic treatment, the infection progressed, necessitating SCS system explantation. DISCUSSION: This represents the first reported case of VZV infection causing wound dehiscence and SCS explantation post-implantation. Contributing factors may include itching around the IPG site, facilitating deeper tissue inoculation. Laboratory and imaging tests may not reliably detect SSIs, and superficial infections may respond to antibiotics, while deep infections typically require implant removal. Early identification and intervention are vital to minimize complications.

conclusionThis unique case emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and monitoring in patients with viral infections near medical devices. A standardized approach to assessing and managing SCS-related infections is critical. Sharing such experiences contributes to improved understanding and treatment of these rare incidents.

Indexed as

Herpesvirus 3, HumanHerpes ZosterAged, 80 and overCellulitisHumansMalePainSpinal CordSurgical Wound InfectionCase reportImplantable pulse generator (IPG)Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)Surgical site infection (SSI)Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Identifiers

PMID37932816
PMCPMC10629098
OpenAlexW4388441505

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.