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Anne-Sophie Foghsgaard - CPRS of the abdomen treated with PENS therapy
Anne-Sophie Foghsgaard had originally suffered from a perforated appendix which was subsequently removed. The laparotomy wound was left open before being closed in her home country of Denmark.
This was a few years previous to her first appointment with Dr Platt.
Anne-Sophie was referred to Dr Mike Platt, (Pain Specialist at St Marys Hospital, Imperial College Trust, London UK) in November 2008 by a Gastroenterologist who could find no reason for her widespread CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) of the Abdomen.
When Dr Platt first saw Anne-Sophie as an outpatient in December 2008 he noted that she had "a widespread area of allodynia in the abdominal region, particularly epigastric, extending down to the right illiac fossa". The pain was constant and exacerbated by her clothes and after eating.
On 15th December 2008 Dr Platt performed RF (radio frequency) therapy to the right Ileoinguinal nerve and trigger points. Dr Platt noted that this therapy offered "some relief" but the additional use of Lignocaine patches was required. Also, the relief was short lived and not particularly marked.
In February 2009 Dr Platt performed Pulsed RF ablation to the greater splanchnic nerve, again offering some improvement but the patient still required an indwelling epidural as an inpatient to gain even moderate pain relief.
Despite the prescription of various drugs including, Pregabalin, Sodium Valproate, Amitriptylline & Lidocaine 5% patches, Anne-Sophie’s pain relief was only moderate.
On February 3rd 2010 Dr Platt performed PENS therapy on Anne-Sophie.
To ensure sufficient stimulation coverage, the painful area was mapped and the probe entry points and trajectory were marked. A 100mm probe was inserted at a depth of approximately 5mm and PENS therapy was delivered for a period of 25 minutes.
Although Anne-Sophie could feel a "pulsating" sensation, she felt no pain throughout the procedure.
After 25 minutes the probe was removed and the process repeated on the other side of her abdomen.
In the days after treatment Anne-Sophie reported very positive results with VAS scores significantly reduced.
On 28th March 2010 Anne-Sophie e-mailed to say - "All is fine. Outer stomach doing super well-, inner getting quite sore but that had nothing to do with you zapping of outer tummy. Sounds strange but I also think the scar tissue bulge has gone down".
Anne-Sophie spends much of her time abroad, but when she is next home in the UK she will be given a follow-up treatment with PENS therapy. |
