Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40677429›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in a Patient With a Pre-existing Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulator: A Case Report.

Chase Walton, Sarah Jenkins, Robert J Ferdon, James Lawrence, Robert Ravinsky

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. 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
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.

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

5 authors.

Chase WaltonDepartment of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Sarah JenkinsDepartment of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Robert J FerdonDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
James LawrenceDepartment of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Robert RavinskyDepartment of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive condition that can lead to significant neurologic disability if not promptly diagnosed and treated. The presence of a neuromodulation device in the spinal canal, such as a spinal cord stimulator (SCS), can potentially hinder the diagnosis and management of DCM. Here, we report a case of a 53-year-old female patient with a history of complex regional pain syndrome being managed with a cervical SCS, who presented with DCM and rapid neurological deterioration and bilateral lower extremity paralysis. The diagnostic workup was rendered more challenging due to contraindications for MRI related to the implanted SCS. CT myelogram demonstrated multilevel cervical stenosis with cord compression; the cervical leads were believed to contribute to the central stenosis. The patient underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) from C4 to C7, resulting in immediate improvement in her motor function and an uncomplicated postoperative course. At discharge, she had regained full strength in the lower extremities. This case highlights the unique diagnostic and management challenges of DCM in patients with pre-existing cervical neuromodulation devices. A high index of suspicion and timely use of alternative imaging modalities were essential for achieving favorable outcomes in this complex patient. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based recommendations for the management of DCM in the setting of neuromodulation devices.

Indexed as

anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (acdf)degenerative cervical myelopathyneuromodulationspinal canal stenosisspinal cord stimulator

Identifiers

PMID40677429
PMCPMC12270518

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.