893 PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY (PRF) FOR THE TREATMENT OF OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA: 6 MONTHS FOLLOW UP

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Aerts ◽  
P. Vanelderen ◽  
P. Vooght ◽  
M. Puylaert ◽  
R. Heylen ◽  
...  
Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Pavel Ryska ◽  
Jiri Jandura ◽  
Petr Hoffmann ◽  
Petr Dvorak ◽  
Blanka Klimova ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: For the treatment of chronic unilateral radicular syndrome, there are various methods including three minimally invasive computed tomography (CT)-guided methods, namely, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), transforaminal oxygen ozone therapy (TFOOT), and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Despite this, it is still unclear which of these methods is the best in terms of pain reduction and disability improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the short and long-term effectiveness of these methods by measuring pain relief using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and improvement in disability (per the Oswestry disability index (ODI)) in patients with chronic unilateral radicular syndrome at L5 or S1 that do not respond to conservative treatment. Materials and Methods: After screening 692 patients, we enrolled 178 subjects, each of whom underwent one of the above CT-guided procedures. The PRF settings were as follows: pulse width = 20 ms, f = 2 Hz, U = 45 V, Z ˂ 500 Ω, and interval = 2 × 120 s. For TFOOT, an injection of 4–5 mL of an O2-O3 mixture (24 μg/mL) was administered. For the TFESI, 1 mL of a corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate), 3 mL of an anaesthetic (bupivacaine hydrochloride), and a 0.5 mL mixture of a non-ionic contrast agent (Iomeron 300) were administered. Pain intensity was assessed with a questionnaire. Results: The data from 178 patients (PRF, n = 57; TFOOT, n = 69; TFESI, n = 52) who submitted correctly completed questionnaires in the third month of the follow-up period were used for statistical analysis. The median pre-treatment visual analogue scale (VAS) score in all groups was six points. Immediately after treatment, the largest decrease in the median VAS score was observed in the TFESI group, with a score of 3.5 points (a decrease of 41.7%). In the PRF and TFOOT groups, the median VAS score decreased to 4 and 5 points (decreases of 33% and 16.7%, respectively). The difference in the early (immediately after) post-treatment VAS score between the TFESI and TFOOT groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0152). At the third and sixth months after treatment, the median VAS score was five points in all groups, without a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the Oswestry disability index (ODI) values among the groups at any of the follow-up visits. Finally, there were no significant effects of age or body mass index (BMI) on both treatment outcomes (maximum absolute value of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.193). Conclusions: Although the three methods are equally efficient in reducing pain over the entire follow-up, we observed that TFESI (a corticosteroid with a local anaesthetic) proved to be the most effective method for early post-treatment pain relief.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2;18 (2;3) ◽  
pp. E147-E155
Author(s):  
Yasser M. Amr

Background: Chronic inguinal neuralgia has been reported after inguinal herniorrhaphy, caesarean section, appendectomy, and trauma to the lower quadrant of the abdomen or inguinal region. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency in management of chronic inguinal neuralgia. Study Design: Randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Setting: Hospital outpatient setting. Methods: Twenty-one patients were allocated into 2 groups. Group 1 received 2 cycles of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for each nerve root. In Group 2, after stimulation, we spent the same time to mimic PRF. Both groups received bupivacaine 0.25% + 4 mg dexamethasone in 2 mL for each nerve root. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was assessed. Duration of the first block effective pain relief was reported. Repeated PRF blockade was allowed for any patient who reported a VAS > 30 mm in both groups during the one year follow-up period. The number and duration of blocks were reported and adverse effects were also reported. Results: Significantly longer duration of pain relief was noticed in Group 1 (P = 0.005) after the first block, while the durations of pain relief of the second block were comparable (P = 0.59). In Group 1 the second PRF produced pain relief from the twenty-fourth week until the tenth month while in Group 2, pain relief was reported from the sixteenth week until the eighth month after the use of PRF. All patients in Group 2 received 3 blocks (the first was a sham PRF) during the one year follow-up period. Meanwhile, 2 PRF blocks were sufficient to achieve pain relief for patients in Group 1 except 4 patients who needed a third PRF block. No adverse events were reported. Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusion: For intractable chronic inguinal pain, PRF for the dorsal root ganglion represents a promising treatment modality. Key words: Radiofrequency, chronic, inguinal neuralgia


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (21;1) ◽  
pp. 407-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tinnirello

Background: Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a common cause of pain and disability. Patients not responding to conservative management often cannot undergo joint replacement due to the presence of multiple comorbidities, while some other patients prefer to postpone surgery as long as possible. Radiofrequency denervation of articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves, which supply innervation of the joint, is a novel technique to reduce hip joint pain. Previous studies reported positive results after application of continuous radiofrequency to the target nerves; however, this approach carries the potential risk of neuritis and neuroma formation. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a safer alternative to continuous radiofrequency not creating necrosis but a complex neuromodulatory effect on target nerves. There is no published evidence of PRF efficacy after 3 month follow-up. Objectives: This single-center study objective was to evaluate the short and medium term effectiveness of PRF on the femoral articular branches and obturator nerves in patients with chronic hip pain. Study Design: Retrospective single-center study. Setting: Italian National Health Service Public Hospital. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 14 patients treated with PRF for severe hip joint pain (mean numeric rating scale (NRS) 7.7 ± 1.2 mean Oxford Hip Score (OHS) 20 ± 8.4). Mean pain and disability scores were evaluated with NRS and OHS respectively at 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up. All patients were treated with pulsed radiofrequency applied under fluoroscopy on the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves for 300 seconds each. Results: Eight patients out of 14 (57%) reported an NRS reduction > 50% at 1 month post procedure. Overall, both pain and disability scores were significantly (P < 0.01) lower at all follow-up until 6 months, mean NRS at 1, 3, and 6 months was 3.6 ± 3; 4.1 ± 3.3; 4.8 ± 2.9 while OHS was 37.6 ± 17.7; 35.8 ± 17.7; 35.8 ± 14 respectively. At 12 months, NRS was 5.8 ± 2.4 while OHS 23.3 ± 12.7, it must be pointed out that even if both scores are significantly (P < 0.01) lower than basal, only 3 patients out of 14 (21%) maintained a NRS reduction > 50% from basal at 12 months post procedure. We reported 2 femoral artery punctures without any significant complication. Limitations: Retrospective study, small sample size. Conclusions: Pulsed radiofrequency is a safe and effective modality to treat hip joint pain in the short and medium term. Definition of positive outcome predictors is required to reserve radiofrequency treatment only for those patients who can benefit from this procedure. Key words: Hip joint pain, pulsed radiofrequency, obturator nerve, femoral nerve, interventional pain management, radiofrequency


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liuqing Yang ◽  
Yuzhao Huang ◽  
Jiahui Ma ◽  
Zhenxing Li ◽  
Rui Han ◽  
...  

BackgroundLumbosacral radicular pain (LSRP) can be caused by disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome. The clinical effect of pulsed-radiofrequency (PRF) combined with transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TESI) for radiating pain in different population remains unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical recordings of patients with LSRP caused by different etiologies, who underwent PRF and TESI treatment. The primary clinical outcome was assessed by a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pre- and post-treatment.ResultsA total of 34 LSRP patients were identified and classified into 3 subgroups (disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome). The overall immediate pain reduction was 4.4 ± 1.1 after procedure. After a median follow-up of 9.5 months, the VAS decreased from 6.5 ± 1.0 to 2.4 ± 1.9 at the last follow-up.ConclusionPRF combined with TESI is an effective approach to treat persistent LSRP in distinct population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 674-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Kim ◽  
Giovanni Cucchiaro

Pediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts commonly present with headaches. We report 7 children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts and occipital headaches who received occipital nerve blocks. Eighty-six percent of patients had a history of at least 1 ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision. Headaches improved in every patient after the block. Two patients (29%) were symptom free 11 and 12 months after the block. Four patients (57%) required repeat occipital nerve blocks. Two underwent pulsed radiofrequency ablation. No complications were noted. When patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts present with headaches, a detailed physical examination is necessary. Persistent occipital headaches with tenderness and radiation in the path of the occipital nerves can be indicative of occipital neuralgia resulting from the shunt having crossed over the path of the greater or lesser occipital nerve. Occipital nerve blocks can help as both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in these patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1;14 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Kevin L . Wininger

Background: Evidence of a paradigm shift towards epicranial neurostimulation treatment techniques aimed at the site of headache pain is beginning to populate the literature. This is most apparent by 2 recently published reports describing alternative approaches to peripheral nerve stimulation techniques for refractory migraine, including hemiplegic migraine. Objectives: To contribute to the emerging literature on epicranial-based neuroaugmentative approaches which target site-specific areas of distinct, but relatively diffuse, headache pain. Specifically, we describe the feasibility of a novel neurostimulation technique: occipital nerve stimulation, com­bined with bilateral subcutaneous electrical stimulation over the temporal region, to treat a patient dually diagnosed with “compli­cated migraine” and occipital neuralgia. Integral to this report, key stimulation programming data are also presented to better distinguish the role of this form of therapy in migraine, or other headache forms, from both the clinical and biomedical perspectives. Methods: Case presentation with literature review. Results: At 24-month follow-up, headache onset had been reduced by more than 50%, including cessation of neurologic deficits that accompanied the patient’s migraines. No complications or adverse side effects are reported. The programming data reported here supports a proposed mechanism of action concerning stimulation of the auriculotemporal nerve distribution/anterior temporal region for management of refractory pain in migraine. Limitations: Case presentation provides only initial assessment of treatment safety, not conclusive evidence of treatment effectiveness. Future studies which consider “followthe-path” epicranial approaches to peripheral nerve stimulation techniques for refractory headache pain are needed to better quantify outcomes and mechanisms of action. Conclusions: In the single case reported here, the feasibility of a novel neurostimulation technique (occipital nerve stimulation/bilateral subcutaneous temporal region stimulation) to treat headache is presented. At the 24-month follow-up, no complications (such as loss of coverage due to lead displacement or lead fracture or erosion) or adverse side effects were reported. Finally, inclusion of fundamental programming data in reports on neuroaugmentative approaches to headache care will complement initiatives in research from the clinical and biomedical communities involved in this field. Key words: Epicranial neurostimulation technique, peripheral nerve stimulation, stimulation parameters, complicated migraine, occipital neuralgia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Anand Murugesan ◽  
M. S. Raghuraman

Pleural leiomyosarcomas are rare soft-tissue sarcomas. Neuropathic pain associated with such tumours can be quite debilitating. We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with chronic neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacologic interventions in association with recurrent pleural leiomyosarcoma. Pulsed radio-frequency of the stellate ganglion was performed after due consideration and planning as a palliative measure to provide pain relief. The patient was discharged the same day with pain score 0/10 and followed up for 3 years. The unique features of this case report are: (1) Different approach of the treatment modality and (2) longer follow-up.


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