Refractory Insomnia in a Patient with Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Migration

Abstract

This report outlines a case of refractory insomnia temporally related to migration of cervical spinal cord stimulator leads. To our knowledge this association is previously unreported. The patient had an intractable sleep disturbance until replacement of the leads. A brief review of insomnia and its complex relationship to chronic pain is presented. We hope that this case will stimulate further discussion and possibly bring to light new insights into spinal cord stimulation and insomnia and alert others to this possible clinical association of symptoms.