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IntroductionTeam approaches in healthcare highlight the importance and benefits of collaboration on maximising clinical outcomes and patient safety. Based on extant literature, the authors aimed to explore collaborative clinical reasoning (CCR) among healthcare professionals.MethodsA scoping review was undertaken to examine CCR related studies in healthcare. Medline, PsychInfo, SciVerse Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Inclusion criteria included full-text articles published between 2011 to 2020. Search terms included cooperative, collaborative, shared, team, collective, reasoning, problem solving, decision making, combined with clinical or medicine or medical, but excluded shared decision making.ResultsA total of 24 articles were identified in the review. Analysis of the articles resulted in four major content themes: (1) Decision-making process (n=14); (2) Quality assessment by MDTs-MODe (Multidisciplinary Team-Metric for the Observation of Decision Making; n=5) (3) CCR theory and definitions(n=3); and (4) Problem-solving process (n=2). Most articles focused on communication associated with collaborative decision-making processes. The discussion of team impacts among all studies was merely the notion of clinical reasoning as an essential component of the collaborative or interprofessional practice. None provided direct evidence on the process of CCR or its impact on clinical outcomes. Only two articles provided specific definitions on CCR.DiscussionWe illuminate the necessity of further research in CCR, specifically with a focus on cognitive components of CCR. A better understanding of current CCR research in healthcare may inform future discussions around establishing strategies to enhance CCR development, and hence provide positive influence on medical education and patient safety.

Studies that examine medical dispute cases (MDC) due to clinical reasoning (CR) are scarce in Taiwan. A retrospective analysis was undertaken to review MDC filed at four hospitals in Taiwan between 2011 and 2015. Cases were examined for the healthcare professionals involved, their relevance to CR errors, clinical specialties, and seniority. Seventy-eight MDC were identified and 57.7% of which were determined to be related to CR errors (n = 45). Among the 45 cases associated with CR errors, 82.2% (37) and 22.2% (10) were knowledge- and skill-related errors, respectively. The healthcare professionals with the most MDC were obstetrician-gynecologists (10/90, 11.1%), surgeons (8/90, 8.9%), and emergency physicians (7/90, 7.8%). The seniority of less than 5 years or lower had the highest number of attending physicians to be associated with MDC. In contrast, the highest seniority (>25 years) in the physician group and year 6 in the resident group are both shown with zero MDC. In our study, the larger hospitals had a significantly higher incidence of MDC compared to the smaller hospitals (Pearson Correlation Coefficient = 0.984, p = 0.016). An examination of MDC reveals the frequency and nature of medical errors in Taiwanese hospitals. Having identified that CR errors contributed a substantial fraction to the overall MDC, strategies to promote reasoning skills and hence reduce medico-legal issues help safeguard both patients and healthcare professionals.

Background Little is known about the state of medical education (ME) research in neurosurgery. As ME started to develop in neurosurgery in recent years, it is important to understand the current status and develop the theory for advancement in neurosurgery. The aim of this study was to undertake a scoping review of neurosurgery literature on ME research. Methods MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were full-text articles in English published from January 2006 to December 2017. Research aspects included country of publication, annual number of publications, journal types, type of participants, frequently researched topics, and research design. Search terms included neurosurgery, medical education, teaching, training, learning, and curriculum. Results A total of 9863 references were found across 3 databases. After duplicate removal and further screening, 533 references remained for coding analysis. ME research activity in neurosurgery is increasing and commonly observed in Western countries. Identified articles were mostly quantitative, with curriculum, assessment (especially simulation), and teaching and learning being the most dominant research themes. Conclusions This study highlights the need for enhanced quantity and quality of ME research in neurosurgery. It identifies areas of highest priority and aspects to be improved and provides us with a rationale for future development in ME in neurosurgery. These findings reveal future education research direction and programmatic research areas, while also establishing a benchmark to assess changes in educational scholarship over time.

EGFR mutations are heterogenous but all carry the same weighting in the Lung-molGPA. The aim of this study was to elucidate the different prognostic implications of molecular subtypes and frontline TKIs in EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with synchronous brain metastases (BM) using the Lung-molGPA. Medical records were searched in hospital databases from 2011 to 2015. Patients with EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma and brain metastases who received TKIs were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 256 patients were included with a median overall survival (OS) of 17.2 months. In multivariate analysis of OS, only age (70 versus

Additional file 1 : Table S1. Distribution of the included publications by the categories and years.

Background Spontaneous epidural hemorrhage (EDH) is a rare occurrence that may be caused by vascular anomalies, infections, coagulopathies, or tumors. Spontaneous EDH occurring in patients without specific underlying disease has been reported only as intraspinal lesion but has never been demonstrated in the intracranial area. This study presents a 19-year-old patient with repeated spontaneous intracranial EDH caused twice by hysterical crying. Case Description The patient had spontaneous left frontal EDH after hysterical crying. Two years later, she had a similar episode after crying and a new spontaneous right frontal EDH was revealed. There was no obvious risk factor revealed by laboratory and radiologic survey. We postulated that hyperventilation during crying resulted in a sudden decrease in intracranial pressure. The intracranial hypotension induced detachment of the dura from the skull and spontaneous EDH occurred. Conclusions Crying or hyperventilation may trigger spontaneous EDH and should be suspected when there are signs of persisting headache and increased intracranial pressure. The prognosis is excellent if early diagnosis and surgical decompression are achieved.

Background Neurenteric cysts are rare central nervous system lesions derived from an endodermal origin. There is no consensus concerning pathogenesis because of the paucity of occurrences. We report an immunohistochemical study of 10 cases with neurenteric cysts and postulate its pathogenesis. Methods Ten patients underwent surgical treatment for neurenteric cysts from 1995 to 2015. We retrospectively reviewed clinical, radiologic, operative, and pathologic findings for these patients. Immunohistochemical stains were completed in all cases to distinguish cell type and origin. Results Three cell types were identified: pseudostratified-ciliated, goblet-columnar, and simple cuboidal cells. All cases were positive for cytokeratin 7, and negative for cytokeratin 20, caudal-type homeobox 2, mucin 2, thyroid transcription factor 1, human chorionic gonadotropin, placental alkaline phosphatase, and cluster of differentiation 31. Four of them had positive staining for mucin 5AC, with expression only in goblet-columnar cells. According to the immunohistochemical results, the cells resembled the respiratory tract (pseudostratified-ciliated), stomach (goblet-columnar), and respiratory bronchioles (simple cuboidal). Seventy-five percent of cases with recurrence had a goblet-columnar component, emphasizing the importance of total resection of the cyst and complete pathologic examination. Conclusions We postulate that the cystic tumor was derived from multipotent endodermal cells that migrated and traveled along the neuroectoderm, with incomplete differentiation into various cell types as a result of an unsuitable microenvironment. Because the neurenteric canal was only the channel of migration rather than a component of the cysts, the term neuroendodermal cysts is more precise in presenting the embryopathogenesis.

Cranioplasty is a technically simple procedure intended to repair defects of the skull to provide protection after craniectomy, improve functional outcomes, and restore cosmesis. Several materials have been used for the restoration of skull defects, including autologous bone grafts (AGs), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) flaps, and titanium mesh (T-mesh). However, the long-term results of cranioplasty after use of these materials are controversial.Medical records of 596 patients who underwent cranioplasty at our medical center between 2009 and 2015 with at least 2.5 years of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the materials used: AG, three-dimensional PMMA, and T-mesh. Demographic and clinical characteristics and postoperative complications were analyzed.Cranioplasty with AG had the highest bone flap depression rate (4.9%; P = 0.02) and was associated with a 26% long-term bone flap resorption. Younger age was a risk factor for bone flap resorption. T-mesh had a higher risk of postoperative skin erosion and bone exposure (17%; P = 0.004). Patients with diabetes, previous craniotomy, or hydrocephalus showed a higher risk of postoperative skin erosion. PMMA was associated with the highest rate of postoperative infection (14.4%3 months, 28.1%3 months; P0.05), and previous craniotomy may increase the infection risk after cranioplasty with PMMA.Complications after cranioplasty are high, and the various types of cranioplasty materials used are associated with different complications. Surgeons need to be aware of these potential complications and should choose the appropriate material for each individual patient.

e21621 Background: EGFR mutations are heterogenous but all carry the same weight in the Lung-molGPA. The aim of this study was to elucidate the different prognostic implications of molecular subtypes and frontline TKIs in EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with synchronous brain metastases (BM) using the Lung-molGPA. Methods: Medical records were searched in hospital databases from 2011 to 2015. Patients with EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma and brain metastases who received TKIs were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 256 patients were included with a median overall survival (OS) of 17.2months. Patients with Lung-molGPA scores of 1, 1.5-2.0, 2.5-3.0, and 3.5-4.0 had median OS of 5.9,11.5, 17.2, and 23.4months, respectively (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis of OS, only age (³70 versus < 70 years, HR:1.71, 95% CI:1.25-2.35, p < 0.001), KPS ( < 70 versus ³70, HR:1.71, 95% CI:1.26-2.31, p < 0.001), and rare mutations (other versus exon 19 deletions, HR:1.78, 95% CI:1.04-3.05, p = 0.037) remained statistically significant. In patients with a Lung-molGPA score £2.5, EGFR molecular subtypes had different median OS (exon 19 deletions versus Leu858Arg versus other, 18.9vs 12.8vs 4.5months, p = 0.021) and prognostic implications (Leu858Arg versus exon 19 deletions, HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.20-2.84, p = 0.005; other versus exon 19 deletions, HR:2.18, 95% CI:1.11-4.26, p = 0.023). Conclusions: Different molecular subtypes treated with frontline TKIs have different prognostic implications in the Lung-molGPA. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Pituicytoma is a rare low-grade glioma arising from the pituicytes of the posterior pituitary. To date, the clinical and pathological correlates of pituicytoma have not been investigated. This study was thus designed to examine the correlation between pituicytoma and the normal pituitary gland.The records of patients who underwent pituitary surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed. Patients who received a pathological diagnosis of pituicytoma were included; however, those with inadequate specimens for pathological study were excluded. Clinical information, including patients' presenting symptoms, serum hormone levels, neuroimages, and specimens, were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin stains and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains were performed for differential diagnosis.Among the 1532 patients who underwent pituitary surgery, nine (0.59%) received a pathological diagnosis of pituicytoma. Two patients were excluded due to inadequate specimens. Among the seven remaining patients, six presented with hormone changes. The IHC stains revealed that pituicytoma has no secretory function; however, the resected pituitary glands showed positive results for hormone change. Coexisting pituicytoma and adrenocorticotropic hormone adenoma were identified in one patient with a diagnosis of Cushing disease.Pituicytoma revealed a negative endocrine secretory function through IHC staining. Additionally, pituicytoma is associated with hypersecretion of the pituitary gland both clinically and pathologically. Diagnosing pituicytoma before pathological confirmation is difficult because the tumour may present with hormone dysfunction. Therefore, IHC staining of specimens is useful to exclude the possibility of coexisting pituicytoma and pituitary adenoma.

e13588 Background: BM represent a common problem in EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma. The updated Lung-molGPA elucidates the survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and BM by incorporating the effect of EGFR gene alterations. However, the nature history and differences of prognostic implication between common and uncommon EGFR mutations remain unsolved. Methods: By retrospective analysis of Chang-Gung Research Database (CGRD), patients with EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma and BM were included into analysis of PFS and OS. EGFR mutations were categorized into exon 19 deletions (Del19), exon 21 Leu858Arg substitution (L858R) and uncommon mutations. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models was performed to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The p-value was set to be statistically significant at 0.05 or less. Results: From April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, 269 out of 818 patients with EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma and BM were included, of which 115 patients with Del19, 131 patients with L858R, and 23 patients with uncommon EGFR mutations. The baseline characteristics were balanced in age, gender, KPS, ECM, number of BM, and timing of BM. In comparison with those with L858R, uncommon mutations is a poor prognostic factor for PFS (HR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.34-3.75, p = 0.002). The median PFS of Del 19, L858R, and uncommon EGFR mutations were 10.4, 10.0, and 3.2 months, respectively (log-rank p = 0.03). Besides, the median OS of Del 19, L858R, and uncommon EGFR mutations were 18.1, 17.4, and 12.5 months, respectively (log-rank p = 0.05). In comparison with those treated with gefitinib, afatinib treatment is a good prognostic factor for PFS and OS (PFS, HR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.94, p = 0.03; OS, HR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26-0.91, p = 0.03). The median PFS of those treated with sequential WBRT, concurrent WBRT and TKI alone were 11.0, 8.5, and 10.3, respectively (log-rank p = 0.63). In addition, the median OS of those treated with sequential WBRT, concurrent WBRT and TKI alone were 18.7, 15.2, and 18.2 months, respectively (log-rank p = 0.50). Conclusions: Among patients with EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma, common and uncommon EGFR mutations have distinct natural history and prognostic implications in patients with BM.

Balloon test occlusion (BTO) is crucial before sacrificing parent arteries. We proposed a simple paradigm combining clinical tolerance with venous phase technique and stump pressure ratio as a criterion for sufficient collateral flow. Internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion was considered safe for asymptomatic patients who exhibited less than 2 seconds of venous phase delay or had a stump pressure ratio greater than 60%. A total of 37 BTO procedures were performed on 31 patients. Twenty-three patients were monitored clinically and 3 were symptomatic. Venous phase comparison was performed on 27 patients, and 5 failed the test. The stump pressure was measured in all patients, and 7 patients failed the test. In summary, 7 patients failed the BTO, of which 6 received high-flow bypass and 1 of these 6 were symptomatic and exhibited stump pressure ratios less than 60% in the second BTO procedure. Occlusion of the ICA was performed on 29 patients. Only 1 patient developed delayed vasospasm and brain infarction. Adequate collateral flow may be indicated by a stump ratio of 60% or greater with or without a high-flow bypass. Combined with clinical assessment and venous phase technique, ICA occlusion may be a safe option that does not result in delayed ischemic complications.

Background The Milestone Project was launched in 2009, charging specialties to develop specific educational accomplishments required to establish clinical competency. The milestone assessment method was first introduced to Taiwan in 2013 and before applying milestone assessments to our medical education system, the validity and reliability of these questionnaires needed to be evaluated. Methods Twenty neurosurgical faculty members representing 3 clinical divisions and all 4 branch institutes completed milestone questionnaires for 26 residents semiannually, resulting in 435 resident assessments being collected and analyzed. Results Cronbach's α, Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, and Kendall's W were used to show acceptable reliability and validity. Rater consistencies for nonskilled parts found that rater consistency progressively improved with time. Not all raters were able to assess the residents for the skilled parts resulting in nonassessable rates ranging from 9.5%–89.4%. For nonskilled and skilled items, milestone level as assessed by the staff improved as the resident progressed from residency year 3 (R3) to R6 in the residency program and showed that the milestone achievement level for an R3 was lower than that of an R6. Conclusions Milestone assessments have high reliability and may be a helpful assessment tool. Although milestone assessment can provide thorough feedback concerning performance and the content of the training program, they may not perfectly suit all residency-training programs, especially in different countries or different cultures. Modifications should be done before applying milestones to different areas; therefore the results can truly reflect the progress and condition of the training and learning process.

Background For patients suffering from primary brain injury, monitoring intracranial pressure alone is not enough to reflect the dynamic intracranial condition. In our previous study, a segment of the pressure-volume curve can be expressed by the parabolic regression model with single indicator “a”. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the indicator “a” can reflect intracranial conditions. Methods Patients with traumatic brain injury, spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, and/or hydrocephalus who had external ventricular drainage from January 2009 to February 2010 were included. The successive volume pressure response values were obtained by successive drainage of cerebral spinal fluid from intracranial pressure 20–25 mm Hg to 10 mm Hg. The relationship between withdrawn cerebral spinal fluid volume and intracranial pressure was analyzed by the parabolic regression model with single parameter “a”. Results The overall mean for indicator “a” was 0.422 ± 0.046. The mean of “a” in hydrocephalus was 0.173 ± 0.024 and in severe intracranial mass with slender ventricle, it was 0.663 ± 0.062. The two extreme intracranial conditions had a statistical significant difference (p

Object The porcine spine is widely used as an alternative to the human spine for both in vivo and in vitro spinal biomechanical studies because of the limited availability and high cost of human specimens. The aim of this study was to develop a reproducible in vitro osteoporotic vertebral model for spinal implant investigations. Methods Four mature domestic porcine lumbar spines (L1–5) were obtained. An in vitro decalcification method was used to decrease the mineral content of the porcine vertebrae, with Ca-chelating agents (0.5 M EDTA solution, pH 7.4) that altered the bone mineral density (BMD). Lumbar-spine area BMD was evaluated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; spine volumetric BMD and spine geometry were assessed by central quantitative CT scanning to monitor the time it took the decalcification process to induce the WHO-defined standard of osteoporosis. Micro–computed topography provided information on the 3D microarchitecture of the lumbar vertebrae before and after decalcification with EDTA. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of lumbar vertebrae was performed. Both the control (5 specimens) and osteoporotic vertebrae (5 specimens) were biomechanically tested to measure compressive strength. Results The differences in area BMD measurements before and after the demineralizing processes were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The results of the compression test before and after the demineralizing processes were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions The data imply that the acid demineralizing process may be useful for producing a vertebra that has some biomechanical properties that are consistent with osteoporosis in humans.

The intracranial pressure (ICP) is usually continuously monitored in the management of patients with increased ICP. The aim of this study was to discover a mathematic equation to express the intracranial pressure-volume (P-V) curve and a single indicator to reflect the status of the curve.Patients with severe brain damage who had bilateral external ventricular drainage (EVD) from December 2008 to February 2010 were included in this study. The EVD was used as drainage of CSF and ICP monitor. The successive volume pressure response [6] values were obtained by successive drainage of CSF from ICP 20-25 to 10 mmHg. Parabolic, exponential, and linear regression models were designed to have a single parameter as the indicator to determine the P-V curves.The mean of parameter "a" in the exponential equation is 1.473 ± 0.054; in the parabolic equation, it is 0.332 ± 0.061; and in the linear equation, it is 1.717 ± 0.209. All regression equations of P-V curves had statistical significance (p0.005). Parabolic and exponential equations are closer to the original ICP curve than linear equation (p0.005). There is no statistically significant difference between parabolic and exponential regressions.The P-V curve can be expressed with linear, parabolic, and exponential regression models in increased ICP patients. The parabolic and exponential equations are more accurate methods to represent the P-V curve. The single parameter in the three regression equations can be compared in different conditions of one patient in clinical practice.

To determine the effects of antiepileptic drug compounds on glioblastoma cellular growth, we exposed glioblastoma cell lines to select antiepileptic drugs. The effects of selected antiepileptic drugs on glioblastoma cells were measured by MTT assay. For compounds showing significant inhibition, cell cycle analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. The antiepileptic compounds selected for screening included carbamazepine, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, magnesium sulfate, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, primidone, tiagabine, topiramate, valproic acid, and vigabatrin. Dexamethasone and temozolomide were used as a negative and positive control respectively. Our results showed temozolomide and oxcarbazepine significantly inhibited glioblastoma cell growth and reached IC50 at therapeutic concentrations. The other antiepileptic drugs screened were unable to reach IC50 at therapeutic concentrations. The metabolites of oxcarbazepine were also unable to reach IC50. Dexamethasone, ethosuximide, levetiracetam, and vigabatrin showed some growth enhancement though they did not reach statistical significance. The growth enhancement effects of ethosuximide, levetiracetam, and vigabatrin found in the study may indicate that these compounds should not be used for prophylaxis or short term treatment of epilepsy in glioblastoma. While valproic acid and oxcarbazepine were effective, the required dose of valproic acid was far above that used for the treatment of epilepsy and the metabolites of oxcarbazepine failed to reach significant growth inhibition ruling out the use of oral oxcarbazepine or valproic acid as monotherapy in glioblastoma. The possibility of using these compounds as local treatment is a future area of study.

Sellar and suprasellar masses are related to many factors. The authors report on a 10.3-year-old female patient who presented with growth retardation. Initial normal results of a hormone study and rapid progression of hypothyroidism-related pituitary hyperplasia within a 4-week interval were noted. The mass disappeared after thyroxine treatment. The authors conclude that repeated hormone examinations and avoidance of an unnecessary operation are needed in such patients.

Objective To delineate the learning style that best defines a successful practitioner in the field of neurosurgery by using a validated learning style inventory. Methods The Kolb Learning Style Inventory, a validated assessment tool, was administered to all practicing neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, and neurology residents employed at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, an institution that provides primary and tertiary clinical care in 3 locations, Linkou, Kaohsiung, and Chiayi. There were 81 participants who entered the study, and all completed the study. Results Neurosurgeons preferred the assimilating learning style (52%), followed by the diverging learning style (39%). Neurosurgery residents were slightly more evenly distributed across the learning styles; however, they still favored assimilating (32%) and diverging (41%). Neurology residents had the most clearly defined preferred learning style with assimilating (76%) obtaining the large majority and diverging (12%) being a distant second. Conclusions The assimilating and diverging learning styles are the preferred learning styles among neurosurgeons, neurosurgery residents, and neurology residents. The assimilating learning style typically is the primary learning style for neurosurgeons and neurology residents. Neurosurgical residents start off with a diverging learning style and progress toward an assimilating learning style as they work toward becoming practicing neurosurgeons. The field of neurosurgery has limited opportunities for active experimentation, which may explain why individuals who prefer reflective observation are more likely to succeed in this field.

The porcine spine is widely used as an alternative to the human spine for both in vivo and in vitro spinal biomechanical studies because of the limited availability and high cost of human specimens. The aim of this study was to develop a reproducible in vitro osteoporotic vertebral model for spinal implant investigations.Four mature domestic porcine lumbar spines (L1-5) were obtained. An in vitro decalcification method was used to decrease the mineral content of the porcine vertebrae, with Ca-chelating agents (0.5 M EDTA solution, pH 7.4) that altered the bone mineral density (BMD). Lumbar-spine area BMD was evaluated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; spine volumetric BMD and spine geometry were assessed by central quantitative CT scanning to monitor the time it took the decalcification process to induce the WHO-defined standard of osteoporosis. Micro-computed topography provided information on the 3D microarchitecture of the lumbar vertebrae before and after decalcification with EDTA. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of lumbar vertebrae was performed. Both the control (5 specimens) and osteoporotic vertebrae (5 specimens) were biomechanically tested to measure compressive strength.The differences in area BMD measurements before and after the demineralizing processes were statistically significant (p0.001). The results of the compression test before and after the demineralizing processes were also statistically significant (p0.001).The data imply that the acid demineralizing process may be useful for producing a vertebra that has some biomechanical properties that are consistent with osteoporosis in humans.

Background Many patients had intractable pain after brachial plexus avulsion. This article describes a feasible method of high cervical SCS for a patient who failed in DREZ surgery to treat the pain. Case Description A 70-year-old man had right brachial plexus avulsion after a car accident 15 years ago. He complained of chronic spontaneous pain over his right upper limb since then. Two DREZ surgeries failed to relieve the pain. The pain was successfully controlled by high cervical SCS. Conclusion Stimulating the high cervical spinal cord is effective for treating intractable pain after brachial plexus avulsion, which the DREZ surgery failed to relieve.