MRI Spinal Cord Reconstruction Provides Insights into Mapping and Migration Following Percutaneous Epidural Stimulation Implantation in Spinal Cord Injury

This study explores using MRI to reconstruct the spinal cord to guide the placement of epidural stimulation leads in people with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to improve motor function recovery by accurately targeting spinal cord locomotor centers. The researchers compared temporary and permanent lead placements and how they affected muscle activation. They found that MRI reconstruction helped explain differences in muscle responses due to lead placement and migration. Lead migration, or the displacement of leads after implantation, can negatively impact muscle activity and functional outcomes. Spinal cord mapping and careful lead placement are crucial to minimize these effects.

• 1
  MRI reconstruction revealed that percutaneous leads were inadvertently placed differently between temporary and permanent implantations, impacting muscle activation.
• 2
  Lead migration attenuated the motor evoked potentials of the RF and HS muscle groups and resulted in the loss of functional standing in one participant.
• 3
  Temporary mapping, coupled with MRI reconstruction, has the potential to guide permanent implantation by targeting specific spinal cord locomotor centers.