Spontaneous Resolution of Nausea Induced by Spinal Cord Stimulation for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used for treatment of pain arising from a variety of pathologies. Reported side‐effects related to SCS are most commonly technical complications including malfunction, lead migration, or severance. Up to date, only a few cases of gastrointestinal side‐effects have been reported. Materials and Methods: A 54‐year‐old man with a 20‐year history of low back pain developed persistent and refractory nausea following spinal cord stimulator implantation. Results: The nausea resolved spontaneously within eight weeks allowing continued use of the spinal cord stimulator. Conclusions: In this case report, we described the uncommon side‐effect of nausea because of SCS that resolved over time allowing continued neurostimulation therapy in a patient with arachnoiditis and failed lumbar back surgery syndrome. We encourage other providers to report similar cases to help elucidate the mechanism of these seemingly underreported side‐effects to allow continuation of the therapeutic effects of SCS.