Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Case Series and Technical Report on a Novel Lead Configuration

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey W. Hunter ◽  
Ajax Yang
2017 ◽  
pp. 223-229
Author(s):  
Young-Chang Arai

Background: The modified technique, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) procedure, applied to nervous tissue has been providing anecdotal benefits for the management of chronic and intractable pain conditions. Although PRF has a neuromodulatory effect instead of thermally lesioning nervous tissue, the mechanism underlying the analgesic effect of PRF has not been fully clarified yet. Objectives: To see the changes of electricallyevoked responses of peripheral A-δ and A-β nerve fibers and the analgesic effect induced by PRF. Study Design: Case series. Setting: Inpatient. Methods: This study investigated how dorsal root ganglion (DRG) PRF influenced electricallyevoked responses of peripheral A-δ and A-β nerve fibers at the treated root ganglion dominating areas in five patients with intractable vertebral metastatic pain. Results: DRG PRF provided sound pain relief for patients with intractable vertebral metastatic pain. PRF application at DRGs had a different effect on electrically-evoked responses of peripheral A-δ and A-β nerve fibers at not only the treated root ganglion dominating areas but also the nontreated root ganglion dominating areas far from the treated root ganglion dominating areas in each patient. Limitation: This report is a case series. Conclusions: PRF application at some peripheral nerves could cause drastic neuromodulation throughout the whole body. Key words: Pulsed radiofrequency, dorsal root ganglion block, neuromodulation


2021 ◽  
pp. E407-E423

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) is a more effective treatment for focal neuropathic pain (FNP) compared with tonic, paresthesia-based dorsal column spinal cord stimulation (SCS). However, new advancements in waveforms for dorsal column SCS have not been thoroughly studied or compared with DRGS for the treatment of FNP. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review was to examine the evidence for these novel technologies; to highlight the lack of high-quality evidence for the use of neuromodulation to treat FNP syndromes other than complex regional pain syndrome I or II of the lower extremity; to emphasize the absence of comparison studies between DRGS, burst SCS, and high-frequency SCS; and to underscore that consideration of all neuromodulation systems is more patient-centric than a one-size-fits-all approach. STUDY DESIGN: This is a review article summarizing case reports, case series, retrospective studies, prospective studies, and review articles. SETTING: The University of Miami, Florida. METHODS: A literature search was conducted from February to March 2020 using the PubMed and EMBASE databases and keywords related to DRGS, burst SCS, HF10 (high-frequency of 10 kHz), and FNP syndromes. All English-based literature from 2010 reporting clinical data in human patients were included. RESULTS: Data for the treatment of FNP using burst SCS and HF10 SCS are limited (n = 11 for burst SCS and n = 11 for HF10 SCS). The majority of these studies were small, single-center, nonrandomized, noncontrolled, retrospective case series and case reports with short follow-up duration. To date, there are only 2 randomized controlled trials for burst and HF10 for the treatment of FNP. LIMITATIONS: No studies were available comparing DRGS to HF10 or burst for the treatment of FNP. Data for the treatment of FNP using HF10 and burst stimulation were limited to a small sample size reported in mostly case reports and case series. CONCLUSIONS: FNP is a complex disease, and familiarity with all available systems allows the greatest chance of success. KEY WORDS: Dorsal root ganglion, high frequency, burst, spinal cord stimulation, neuromodulation, focal neuropathic pain


2017 ◽  
pp. 133-142
Author(s):  
Ajax Yang

Background: Sympathetic neurolysis, or sympathectomy, is an established modality for the treatment of chronic pain. In cases of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), the ganglion of impar (GI) and the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) are widely accepted targets for such therapy. Objective: While diagnostic injections typically predate any neurolysis for the purpose of ascertaining any potential effi cacy for interrupting a particular pathway, careful attention is equally paid to evaluate for possible adverse events - in the case of lumbopelvic neurolysis, retrograde ejaculation (RE) is one such possibility. Study Design: A case series. Setting: An outpatient pain management clinic. Methods: We present 3 male patients with CPP treated who underwent neurolytic procedures targeting the GI and SHP. Results: The fi rst patient developed RE after undergoing a simultaneous neurolysis of both the SHP and GI, in the same sitting. The second and third patients both experienced temporary RE immediately after diagnostic blockades of the SHP, following GI neurolysis that was performed several weeks prior. Limitations: Cause-effect conclusions cannot be drawn from the results of a case series. Conclusions: RE is a potential consequence of combined or serial SHP and GI neurolysis. While neurolysis of either the GI or SHP individually have not been known to cause RE in men, this case series demonstrates the potential risk in causing it when both structures are simultaneously incapacitated in some form; as such, the authors recommend against both structures being ablated or disabled concurrently without careful evaluation with temporary blockades fi rst. In an effort to avoid such a complication or evaluate for the possibility in a particular individual, we recommend that an individual with CPP, who has already been treated with a neurolysis, undergoes diagnostic blocks fi rst on whichever of the 2 structures has not yet been ablated to carefully evaluate if RE will occur. Key words: Retrograde ejaculation, superior hypogastric plexus, ganglion impar; neurolysis, chronic pelvic pain, male infertility, diagnostic block


Cureus ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Omosor ◽  
Taejun Lee ◽  
Namath Hussain

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Alfonso Papa ◽  
Elisabetta Saracco ◽  
Maria Teresa Di Dato ◽  
Pietro Buonavolontà ◽  
Anna Maria Salzano ◽  
...  

Objectives: The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is involved in the transduction of pain signals to the central nervous system (CNS) and undergoes a number of physiopathological changes during chronic pain. The purpose of this data collection was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of DRG stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain and its impact on functional aspects. Materials and Methods: Forty-four subjects with non-reactive chronic neuropathic pain syndrome were implanted with DRG stimulation. Patients were evaluated at baseline as well as at 15, and 30 days, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after medical intervention/surgery using the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), which measures pain intensity, and the Oswestry Scale, for the estimation of disability (ODI). Results: After four years of simulation, VAS and ODI showed a statistically significant reduction throughout the follow-up period. The average pain relief obtained after 48 months of treatment was 74.1% ± 3.4. Conclusion: The results of this data collection demonstrate the feasibility of DRG stimulation, the correspondence between the clinical indications at the DRG implant and what is commonly found in the literature on this technique.(18,20) Patients defined as clinical responders to DRG stimulation and so implanted with definitive IPG showed a sustained and long term efficacy. Eight patients had previously been implanted with a traditional SCS without any clinically relevant efficacy; they were then explained for unsatisfactory results. Six of them (75%) were later implanted with DRG, with long-term effectiveness. Another advantage of this therapy is the absence of positional effects and lead migration. The adverse events proved to be independent of the anatomical level of insertion; moreover, this series of cases show a lower incidence of lead migration than reported in the literature. In summary, DRGs have been ignored for too long, probably due to the technical difficulty of reaching their deep, almost extra-spinal anatomical position.


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