Radiofrecuencia pulsada del ganglio de la raiz dorsal cervical: presentacion de un caso clinico

El tratamiento estándar del dolor radicular cervical, que acompaña a la patología discal o la estenosis neuroforaminal, se realiza con un enfoque multidisciplinario, que incluye medicación efectiva para el dolor neuropático, fisioterapia y la inyección epidural de esteroides. Cuando el dolor es refractario a este tipo de abordaje, la cirugía se propone como opción terapéutica. La radiofrecuencia pulsada del ganglio de la raíz dorsal de las raíces afectadas es una alternativa válida para tratar el dolor radicular cervical refractario. Se presenta un caso clínico de dolor radicular cervical por estenosis neuroforaminal, donde se utilizó la radiofrecuencia pulsada del ganglio de la raíz dorsal con buenos resultados, evaluados mediante la versión en español del Brief Pain Inventory

Standard treatment of cervical radicular pain due to cervical disc disease or neuroforaminal stenosis is performed utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, including neurophatic pain killers, physical therapy and epidural steroid injections. When cervical radicular pain is refractory to this treatment approach, spine surgery is often proposed. Pulsed radiofrequency of the cervical dorsal root ganglion is a valid alternative treatment to refractory cervical radicular pain. A clinical case is reported, where pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglion was used with good results, utilizing the spanish version of the Brief Pain Inventory as an outcome evaluation tool

The Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment of Cervical Radicular Pain Patients

OBJECTIVE: Cervical radicular pain is defined as pain arising in the arm caused by irritation of a cervical spinal nerve or its roots. Although many treatment modalities are described in the literature, the available evidence for efficacy is not sufficient to allow definitive conclusions. The goal of this study was to establish the benefits and prognostic factors of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on the adjacent cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of cervical radicular pain patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of PRF treatment of patients with cervical radicular pain was carried out. Two times diagnostic block of cervical DRG were performed before PRF. PRF was applied for 2 minutes at a setting of 2 Hz and 45 V by two times on the same targets, with the end point being an electrode tip temperature 42degrees C. Numerical rating scale (NRS) score was evaluated post-treatment 2 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, which were compared with pretreatment value. A successful outcome was defined that NRS change was improved more than 50% at 6 months. RESULTS: The mean age was 54 years. The success rate was 68%(15/22) after six months of follow-up. PRF induced complications were not observed. Between success and failure group, we do not find any positive outcome prognostic factor. Interestingly, PRF treatment on foraminal stenosis is better outcome than herniated cervical disc. CONCLUSION: PRF on adjacent cervical DRG is effective and safe treatment option for cervical radicular pain patients. However, more long-term follow up and larger patients are needed to establish effectiveness PRF treatment on cervical radicular pain patients.

Short-Term Effects of Pulsed Radiofrequency on Chronic Refractory Cervical Radicular Pain

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in patients with chronic refractory cervical radicular pain. METHOD: Fifteen patients (13 males, 2 females; mean age, 55.9 years) with chronic radicular pain due to cervical disc herniation or foraminal stenosis refractory to active rehabilitative management, including transforaminal cervical epidural steroid injection and exercise, were selected. All patients received pulsed radiofrequency on the symptomatic cervical dorsal root ganglion and were carefully evaluated for neurologic deficits and side effects. The clinical outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a neck disability index (NDI) before treatment, one and three months after treatment. Successful pain relief was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in the VAS score as compared with the pre-treatment score. After three months, we categorized the patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: The average VAS for radicular pain was reduced significantly from 5.3 at pretreatment to 2.5 at 3 months post-treatment (p<0.05). Eleven of 15 patients (77.3%) after cervical pulsed RF stimulation reported pain relief of 50% or more at the 3 month follow-up. The average NDI was significantly reduced from 44.0% at pretreatment to 35.8% 3 months post-treatment (p<0.05). At 3 months post-treatment, eleven of fifteen patients (73.3%) were satisfied with their status. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the application of pulsed radiofrequency on DRG might be an effective short-term intervention for chronic refractory cervical radicular pain. Further studies, including a randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up, are now needed.

Clinical Effects of Fluoroscopy Guided Interventional Microadhesiolysis and Nerve Stimulation (FIMS) on Cervical Zygapophyseal Joints in Patients with Chronic Cervical Radicular Pain / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Cervical radicular pain can arise fromvarious structures, including spinal nerves, discs, zygapophyseal joints, ligaments, and myofascial connective tissue. However, no adequate experiments have been found regarding methods for the microadhesiolysis of adhesional connective tissue around the zygapophyseal joints and nerves. The first objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of fluoroscopy guided interventional microadhesiolysis and nerve stimulation (FIMS) on chronic cervical radicular pain caused by zygapophyseal joint dysfunction. The second objective was to identify the duration of pain alleviation, as well as commonly occurring regions for zygapophyseal joint dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with cervical radicular pain. The cervical zygapophyseal joints and adhesional structures around the cervical zygapophyseal joints were stimulated by adhesiolysis with a rounded needle; the procedure was performed once every second week. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and neck range of motion (ROM) were used as indices for evaluating the degree of pain 1 and 3 months after completion of the procedures. A relief effect of FIMS was accepted when the VAS index decreased 50% compared with a previous VAS, and when there was absence of limitation of ROM. RESULTS: Among the patients, 52% showed zygapophyseal joint dysfunction in C5-6, 38% in C4-5, 7% in C2-3, and 3% in C6-7. After performing FIMS, the VAS index decreased in most of the patients after 1 and 3 months (92.8% and 75%, respectively), and treatment frequency was 2.7 +/- 1.2. There was no correlation between the number of FIMS procedures and the degree of VAS. CONCLUSIONS: FIMS is considered an effective modality in patients suffering from cervical radicular pain.