Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that can be associated with refractory neuropathic pain. Neuromodulation with dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) represents a novel potential therapeutic option for the nonpharmacological management of leprosy-associated chronic pain.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of a leprosy-associated chronic lower extremity neuropathic pain in a 56-year-old man managed with DRGS. The patient underwent implantation of DRG electrodes at the left L5 and right S1 levels for refractory lower extremity pain. Following the procedure, reported significant reduction in pain intensity, decreased analgesic requirements, and improved functionality at short-term follow-up, with no reported postprocedure complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The successful treatment of post-leprosy neuropathic pain with DRGS contributes to the expanding body of evidence supporting the use of neuromodulation in the management of treatment-refractory pain. We suggest that DRGS may be a viable interventional option for chronic neuropathic pain from leprosy and other potential indications.
KEY WORDS: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation, neuromodulation, chronic pain, leprosy, case report
