Pulsed radiofrequency: current clinical and biological literature available.
OBJECTIVE
Pulsed radiofrequency, where short bursts of radiofrequency energy are applied to nervous tissue, has been used by pain practitioners as a non- or minimally neurodestructive technique, alternative to radiofrequency heat lesions. Clinical advantages and mechanisms of this treatment remain unclear. The objective of this study was to review current clinical and laboratory data.


METHODS
We systematically searched the MEDLINE database (PubMed) and tables of contents of electronically available pain journals. Reference lists of relevant reports and international scientific pain congress abstract books were also hand searched. Only those reports on pulsed radiofrequency were withheld.


RESULTS
The final analysis yielded 58 reports on the clinical use of pulsed radiofrequency in different applications: 33 full publications and 25 abstracts. We also retrieved six basic science reports, five full publications, and one abstract.


CONCLUSIONS
The accumulation of these data shows that the use of pulsed radiofrequency generates an increasing interest of pain physicians for the management of a variety of pain syndromes. Although the mechanism of action has not been completely elucidated, laboratory reports suggest a genuine neurobiological phenomenon altering the pain signaling, which some have described as neuromodulatory. No side effects related to the pulsed radiofrequency technique were reported to date. Further research in the clinical and biological effects is justified.
Cahana
Alex
A
Interventional Pain Program, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Intensive Care, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Van Zundert
Jan
J
Macrea
Lucian
L
van Kleef
Maarten
M
Sluijter
Menno
M
D000698:Analgesia / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome