# PNS for management of intercostal neuralgia: A case report

## TL;DR

A 75-year-old man with severe rib pain found relief through a peripheral nerve stimulator after other treatments failed.

## Contribution

This case report demonstrates the effectiveness of peripheral nerve stimulators for treating refractory intercostal neuralgia.

## Key findings

- PNS placement provided analgesia for a patient with refractory intercostal neuralgia.
- Standard neuropathic pain treatments failed to alleviate the patient's pain.

## Abstract

Intercostal neuralgia is a rare but potentially debilitating condition that manifests as neuropathic pain in any rib space. This pain can typically be treated with typical mainstays of neuropathic pain treatment, such as over-the-counter analgesics, gabapentinoids, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioids. However, as detailed in this case, patients can have refractor pain despite the use of these mainstays of treatment. In these patients, peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) placement can be a possible treatment modality. In our case detailing a 75 year old male with refractory intercostal neuralgia, we have shown that PNS placement for this indication can provide analgesia in this debilitating condition.