Nociceptive signals from lumbar intervertebral discs ascend in the sympathetic chain via the L2 dorsal root ganglion (L2 DRG), a potential target for discogenic low back pain in neuromodulation. Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET-CT) measures functional changes in the brain metabolic activity, identified by the changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as determined by the changes of F-18 Fluoro-deoxyglucose ( F FDG) tracer within brain tissues.
Nine patients were recruited to explore the changes in PET-CT imaging at baseline and four-weeks post implantation of bilateral L2 DRG neurostimulation leads and implantable pulse generator (IPG). PET-CT scans were performed 30 min following an IV injection of 250±10% MBq of F FDG tracer. Fifteen frames were acquired in 15 min. PET list-mode raw data were reconstructed and normalized appropriately to a brain anatomical atlas.
Nine patients were recruited to the study, where PET-CT imaging data for five patients were analyzed. The right and left insular cortex, primary and secondary somato-sensory cortices, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus and the midline periaqueductal areas, were assessed for any changes in the metabolic activity. A total of 85 pain matrix regions were delineated SUV (standardized uptake value) , SUV  ± SD, and SUV were calculated for each of these regions of the brain and were compared pre- and post-L2 DRG stimulation. Sixty-one of the 85 matrices showed an increase in metabolic activity whereas 24 matrices showed a reduction in metabolic activity.
This is the first ever study reporting the changes in cerebral metabolic activity and multi-frame static brain F FDG PET imaging after L2 DRG stimulation for discogenic low back pain. Predominantly an increased metabolic activity in nociceptive brain matrices are seen with an increased in F F FDG uptake following L2 DRG stimulation.

© 2020 International Neuromodulation Society.

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