scholarly journals Pulsed Radiofrequency Dorsal Root Ganglion-Fluoroscopy Guide for Lumbar Radicular Pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88
Author(s):  
Nugroho Wicaksono ◽  

Background: Lumbosacral radicular pain is the most common neuropathic pain. Pulsed Radio Frequency (PRF) is a method that believes to be safe and effective for reducing pain. Case: A 43-year-old woman experiences chronic right lumbar radiculopathy due to Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) L4-5. Anamnesis and physical examination show a sign of neuropathic pain. The MRI examination shows a paracentral disc protrusion L4-5 that compresses the transversing nerve L5. The conservative management did not produce a satisfying result indicated by the patient still experience pain with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 4-5. Patient unable to do activity properly. We perform pain management using the dorsal root ganglion L5 pulsed radiofrequency-fluoroscopy (PRF) and producing a positive outcome. Patients experience a decrease in pain intensity with NRS 1. The examination on one and two months post-intervention show an improvement. Patient able to do the daily activity with NRS 1-2. Conclusion: Pulsed radiofrequency dorsal root ganglion-fluoroscopy guide that relatively safe, minimum complications, and minimal side effects, making it the preferred treatment for chronic lumbar radicular pain.

2014 ◽  
Vol 6;17 (6;12) ◽  
pp. 477-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vigneri

Background: Lumbosacral radicular pain is a common clinical finding with a statistical prevalence ranging from 9.9% to 25% in the general population. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic lumbosacral radicular pain and neuropathic features. Study Design: Prospective case series clinical outcome study. Methods: We evaluated 34 patients with lumbosacral neuropathic pain who underwent PRF at the corresponding level of radicular symptoms distribution (ranging from L3 to S1). Each patient suffered a single leg-radiating pain with probable neuropathic features (assessed with clinical grading) lasting for > 6 months and unresponsive to previous treatments. A multifunctional PASHA-electrode® was introduced with trans-sacral access through a hollow needle, placed under fluoroscopic guidance into the lumbosacral epidural space and its active tip moved close to the dorsal root ganglion responsible of the clinical symptoms. After connecting the electrode to a generator, stimulation tests were performed and PRF was started and applied for 240 seconds at a frequency of 2Hz, amplitude of 45 V and a tip temperature between 40 – 42°C. If the pain involved more than a single nerve root, the electrode was placed at a different segment and the procedure repeated. Outcome measures included the pain intensity score on a 0 – 10 numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Italian Pain Questionnaire (QUID) at pre-treatment, one and 6 months post-treatment. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In comparison with pre-treatment, a significant reduction in pain score was observed in mean NRS either at one and 6 months (P < 0.001). The QUID - Pain Rating Index rank displayed a parallel trend at the first (P < 0.001) and last follow-up (P = 0.01). Moreover, a direct correlation between the 2 scales occurred, showing a parallel score decreasing (P < 0.001). Eighteen (52.9%) and 17 (50%) of 34 patients showed pain reduction in NRS > 2 points and > 30%, at one and 6 months, respectively. Limitations: The non-controlled design of the study, the patients were heterogeneous, the small number of patients, and the duration of follow-up was limited to 6 months. Conclusions: PRF of dorsal root ganglion performed with a multifunctional electrode for > 240 seconds appears to be safe and might be more effective than the classic 120 seconds needlemediated approach. Therefore, it may be considered as a valuable tool for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain with neuropathic features. Key words: PRF, radicular pain, neuropathic pain, DRG, NRS, PRIr-T, multifunctional electrode


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueru Xu ◽  
Shaoxiong Fu ◽  
Xiaomei Shi ◽  
Rongguo Liu

Background. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has been applied to alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, yet the mechanisms underlying pain reduction owing to this treatment are not clarified completely. The activated microglia, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in the spinal cord were demonstrated to be involved in developing neuropathic pain. Also, it has been just known that PRF on DRG inhibits the microglial activation in nerve injury rats. Here, we aim to investigate whether PRF treatment could regulate the levels of BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord of rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) via suppressing the spinal microglia activation to ease neuropathic pain. Methods. The rats with SNI were intrathecally treated with minocycline (specific microglia inhibitor) or same volume of dimethyl sulfoxide once daily, beginning from 1 h before nerve transection to 7 days. PRF was applied adjacent to the L4-L5 DRG of rats with SNI at 45 V for 6 min on the seventh postoperative day, whereas the free-PRF rats were treated without PRF. The withdrawal thresholds were studied, and the spinal levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK were calculated by western blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. Results. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency decreased in the ipsilateral hind paws after SNI, and the spinal levels of Iba1, BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK increased on day 21 after SNI compared with baseline (P<0.01). An intrathecal injection of minocycline led to the reversal of SNI-induced allodynia and increase in levels of Iba1, BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK. Withdrawal thresholds recovered partially after a single PRF treatment for 14 days, and SNI-induced microglia hyperactivity, BDNF upregulation, and PI3K and ERK phosphorylation in the spinal cord reduced on D14 due to the PRF procedure. Conclusion. Microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord are suppressed by the therapy of PRF on DRG to ease SNI-induced neuropathic pain in rats.


Pain ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Van Zundert ◽  
Jacob Patijn ◽  
Alfons Kessels ◽  
Inge Lamé ◽  
Hans van Suijlekom ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (21;1) ◽  
pp. E97-E103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Cheol Chang

Background: Patients with lumbosacral radicular pain may complain of persisting pain after monopolar pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment. Objective: We evaluated the effect of bipolar PRF stimulation of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in patients with chronic lumbosacral radicular pain who were unresponsive to both monopolar PRF stimulation of the DRG and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Study Design: This is a prospective observational study. Setting: The outpatient clinic of a single academic medical center in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 102 patients who had received monopolar PRF to the DRG for management of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Of these, 32 patients had persistent radicular pain that was scored at least 5 on a numeric rating scale (NRS). Twenty-three of them were included in this study and underwent bipolar PRF of the DRG. The outcomes after the procedure were evaluated using the NRS for radicular pain before treatment and 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Successful pain relief was defined as ≥ 50% reduction in the NRS score compared with the score prior to treatment. Furthermore, at 3 months after treatment, patient satisfaction levels were examined. Patients reporting very good (score = 7) or good results (score = 6) were considered to be satisfied with the procedure. Results: The NRS scores changed significantly over time. At 1, 2, and 3 months after bipolar PRF, the NRS scores were significantly reduced compared with the scores before the treatment. Twelve (52.2%) of the 23 patients reported successful pain relief and were satisfied with treatment results 3 months after bipolar PRF. No serious adverse effects were recorded. Limitations: A small number of patients were recruited and we did not perform long-term follow-up. Conclusion: We believe the use of bipolar PRF of the DRG can be an effective and safe interventional technique for chronic refractory lumbosacral radiculopathy. It appears to be a potential option that can be tried before proceeding to spinal surgery. Key words: Bipolar, pulsed radiofrequency, lumbosacral radicular pain, chronic pain, dorsal root ganglion, spinal stenosis, herniated disc


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