Pain: spinal cord stimulation: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Pain: spinal cord stimulation

Sample item

Which condition is a well-established indication for spinal cord stimulation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Failed back surgery syndrome with persistent radicular pain

Spinal cord stimulation delivers electrical impulses to the dorsal columns through epidural leads and is used for refractory neuropathic pain such as persistent radicular pain after back surgery, CRPS and refractory angina. It is considered only after conservative treatment has failed and a trial has been successful.

Option by option

  • A. Acute postoperative pain

    Acute postoperative pain is managed with conventional analgesia.

  • B. Failed back surgery syndrome with persistent radicular pain (correct)

    Correct. Persistent pain after back surgery is the commonest indication.

  • C. Acute herpes zoster rash

    Acute zoster is treated with antivirals and analgesics.

  • D. Mild tension headache

    Mild headache does not need neuromodulation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Failed back surgery syndrome with persistent radicular pain. Spinal cord stimulation delivers electrical impulses to the dorsal columns through epidural leads and is used for refractory neuropathic pain such as persistent radicular pain after back surgery, CRPS and refractory angina.

Why is "Acute postoperative pain" not the answer?

Acute postoperative pain is managed with conventional analgesia.

Why is "Acute herpes zoster rash" not the answer?

Acute zoster is treated with antivirals and analgesics.

Why is "Mild tension headache" not the answer?

Mild headache does not need neuromodulation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pain: spinal cord stimulation in Anaesthesia. It is considered only after conservative treatment has failed and a trial has been successful.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pain: spinal cord stimulation?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.