Motor Cortex Stimulation for Facial Pain

Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) has been used in the treatment of intractable neuropathic facial pain for nearly 30 years. While efficacy rates have been noted as high as 88% in some studies, considerable variability in treatment response remains. Additionally, MCS is often cited as providing diminishing relief over time, and there are few long-term studies on efficacy. Complications are generally mild and include infection, hardware complication, seizure, and transient neurological deficit. Despite relatively minimal use, MCS remains a viable treatment option for the appropriately selected facial pain patients that have proved refractory to conservative management.