•Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS) have been implicated in the treatment and management of multiple chronic pain syndromes

•The incidence of complications, namely infections, is reported as 2-14% of SCS implanted1.

•This poses significant clinical concern for the patient, as infection is associated with hospitalization, surgical intervention, and long-term antibiotics2.

•Here, we report the case of a 78-year-old man who underwent an SCS trial and subsequently developed an infection soon after. We will review the literature regarding SCS infection rates in both trials and permanent implants- along with identification, prevention, and management.

•78-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease with stents (on clopidogrel), heart failure with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator,  and prior L3-L5 posterior spinal fusion who presented with chronic low back pain

•Pain: severe, sharp, and radiated into his right lower extremity that did not respond to conservative therapy and injections

•Underwent a 7-day percutaneous SCS trial

•Presented after 1 week to the ED with severe low back pain and an episode of bowel incontinence

•CT lumbar spine: possible L1-L2 discitis and interspinous widening at T12-L1 that was suspicious for an infectious etiology

•Blood cultures and disc cultures grew pan- susceptible pseudomonas

•The patient did not need surgical intervention for his infection and was eventually discharged home with a peripherally inserted central catheter and required cefepime for 4 weeks