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Interest of Electrostimulation of Peripheral Motor Nerves during Percutaneous Thermal Ablation

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Abstract

Purpose

We present our experience of utilizing peripheral nerve electrostimulation as a complementary monitoring technique during percutaneous thermal ablation procedures; and we highlight its utility and feasibility in the prevention of iatrogenic neurologic thermal injury.

Methods

Peripheral motor nerve electrostimulation was performed in 12 patients undergoing percutaneous image-guided thermal ablations of spinal/pelvic lesions in close proximity to the spinal cord and nerve roots. Electrostimulation was used in addition to existing insulation (active warming/cooling with hydrodissection, passive insulation with CO2 insufflation) and temperature monitoring (thermocouples) techniques. Impending neurologic deficit was defined as a visual reduction of muscle response or need for a stronger electric current to evoke muscle contraction, compared with baseline.

Results

Significant reduction of the muscle response to electrostimulation was observed in three patients during the ablation, necessitating temporary interruption, followed by injection of warm/cool saline. This resulted in complete recovery of the muscle response in two cases, while for the third patient the response did not improve and the procedure was terminated. No patient experienced postoperative motor deficit.

Conclusion

Peripheral motor nerve electrostimulation is a simple, easily accessible technique allowing early detection of impending neurologic injury during percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation. It complements existing monitoring techniques and provides a functional assessment along the whole length of the nerve.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Georgia Tsoumakidou.

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Tsoumakidou, G., Garnon, J., Ramamurthy, N. et al. Interest of Electrostimulation of Peripheral Motor Nerves during Percutaneous Thermal Ablation. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 36, 1624–1628 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0641-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0641-z

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