Cervical root stimulation at C5/6 excites C8/T1 roots and minimizes pneumothorax risk

Needle electrical cervical root stimulation may be performed lateral to the C5/C6 or C7/T1 spinous process interspaces. Pneumothorax has been reported following C7/T1 root stimulation. We evaluated the efficacy of a modified C5/C6 stimulation technique in exciting C8/T1 roots in 15 normal subjects and 36 patients with motor neuron disease (204 procedures). No instances of a 50% or greater amplitude decline occurred. C5/C6 interspace stimulation, therefore, may be used to excite C8/T1 roots while minimizing pneumothorax risk.