Device Evaluation, Treatment, and Explantation Recommendations (DETER): Review and best practices for managing neuromodulation device infections Journal Article


Authors: Pritzlaff, S. G.; Goree, J. H.; Dare, R. K.; D’Souza, R. S.; Lee, D. W.; Dudas, A. A.; Kalia, H.; Orhurhu, V.; Singh, N.; Hagedorn, J. M.; Mousavi, A.; James, W.; Leong, M. S.; Meacham, K. W.; Gulati, A.; Sheth, S. J.; Pena, I.; Shah, J. R.; Murphy, M. Z.; Nashi, S. E.; Nasseri, M.; Khoury, A. M.; Dorsi, M. J.; Falowski, S. M.; Petersen, E. A.; Tomycz, N. D.; Wahezi, S.; Chakravarthy, K. V.; Pope, J. E.; Schatman, M. E.; Amirdelfan, K.; Sayed, D.; Deer, T. R.
Article Title: Device Evaluation, Treatment, and Explantation Recommendations (DETER): Review and best practices for managing neuromodulation device infections
Abstract: Infections related to neuromodulation devices such as spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and intrathecal pumps (ITPs) present complex challenges due to potential complications such as localized infections, deep infections, sepsis, and neurological injury. Prompt diagnosis requires patients and providers to be educated on wound management and sepsis symptoms for immediate medical attention. Antibiotic therapy and duration vary based on infection severity, with deep infections often requiring device removal despite recent improvements in salvage rates with aggressive initial intervention. Deep infections necessitate timely diagnosis through imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), followed by device removal and culture-guided antibiotic therapy, often in collaboration with infectious disease specialists and spine surgeons. ITP infections pose similar challenges along with the risk of meningitis and may require careful management of medication withdrawal symptoms during emergent pump removal. Lab monitoring may aid treatment assessment, although negative cultures can occur due to post-antibiotic exposure. Postoperative recommendations stress standardized guidelines, patient education, and vigilant surveillance, with close follow-up crucial for early infection detection and intervention. Managing device-related infections demands a multi-specialty approach to minimize complications and optimize outcomes. This paper outlines best practices for diagnosing, managing, and treating neuromodulation device infections, focusing on guiding clinical decision-making from the onset of infection through treatment and potential reimplantation. © 2025 Pritzlaff et al.
Keywords: antibiotic agent; antibiotic therapy; postoperative period; treatment duration; preoperative care; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; follow up; clinical practice; computer assisted tomography; infection; anemia; obesity; patient education; smoking; neuromodulation; risk factor; wound healing; wound; cardiovascular disease; diabetes mellitus; surgical infection; sepsis; vancomycin; alcohol consumption; wound infection; minocycline; rifampicin; infection control; neurologic disease; meningitis; infection risk; hygiene; device infection; surgical site infection; reimplantation; human; article; spinal cord stimulation; intrathecal pumps; procedure complications; device evaluation, treatment, and explantation recommendation
Journal Title: Journal of Pain Research
Volume: 18
ISSN: 1178-7090
Publisher: Dove Medical Press Ltd  
Date Published: 2025-04-23
Start Page: 2147
End Page: 2161
Language: English
DOI: 10.2147/jpr.S509623
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC12036694
PUBMED: 40297490
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Amitabh Gulati
    146 Gulati