Imaging-guided pulsed-radiofrequency stimulation of medial branch of lumbar spinal nerve for the treatment of lumbar facet joint syndrome / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of imaging-guided pulsed-radiofrequency stimulation of medial branch of lumbar spinal nerve in treating lumbar facet joint syndrome. Methods A total of 48 patients with clinically-diagnosed lumbar facet syndrome were randomly divided into group A (anti-inflammatory and analgesic group, n=26) and group B (pulsed-radiofrequency group, n=22). The patients of group A received oral meloxicam dispersible tablets , while the patients of group B were treated with DSA-guided pulsed-radiofrequency stimulation of dorsal medial branch of lumbar spinal nerve corresponding to the diseased lumbar facet. Using visual analogue scale (VSA) the severity of pain at the time of admission, discharge and 6 month after discharge was separately evaluated , and the therapeutic effect was assessed based on the improvement of VSA score. Results The VAS scores of group A and group B at the time of discharge and 6 months after discharge were significantly lower than those determined at the time of admission (P<0.01). At the time of discharge, the VSA score of group B was significantly lower than that of group A (P<0.05). Six months after discharge, the VAS score of group B was significantly lower than that of group A (P<0.05). The total effective rates at 6 months after di scharge of group A and group B were 46.5% and 87.6% respectively;the excellent effect rates of group A and group B were 26.4% and 76.2% respectively. Both the total effective rate and excellent effect rate of group B were significantly higher than those of group A (P<0.01). Conclusion Imaging-guided pulsed-radiofrequency stimulation of dorsal medial branch of lumbar spinal nerve can effectively relieve chronic lower back pain caused by lumbar facet joint syndrome , and its therapeutic effect is superior to oral anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication.