Long-lasting analgesic effect of radiofrequency treatment of the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion.
OBJECTIVE
The authors conducted a study to establish the benefit of radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) as a therapy to reduce symptomatic pain in patients with chronic spinal pain radiating to the leg.


METHODS
Two hundred seventy-nine patients were evaluated after undergoing their first RF treatment of the DRG. A four-point pain perception scale was used. Short-term effect was documented after 2 months. The influence of surgical history on outcome was examined by using chi-square analysis. The mean duration of analgesic effect was calculated by applying a probit survival analysis. Two months after undergoing RF treatment, 59% of patients reported satisfactory pain reduction. No serious adverse effects were noted. Surgical history was shown to have no significant effect on outcome. The long-term half-life time of pain reduction was 44.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of RF in the treatment of DRG appears to be a useful and safe therapy in patients with chronic spinal pain that radiates to the leg. The initial success rate is approximately 60%. It seems to lead to a time-limited effect on the target structure, and the mean duration of pain reduction is approximately 3.7 years. The mechanism of action remains unclear.
van Wijk
R M
RM
Department of Anesthesiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.m.a.w.van.wijk@olvg.nl
Geurts
J W
JW
Wynne
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016634:Radiosurgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome