title: Flat-panel fluoroscopy O-arm-guided percutaneous radiofrequency cordotomy: a new technique for the treatment of unilateral cancer pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous radiofrequency cordotomy (PRFC) involves controlled ablation of the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord, thereby relieving pain. Evolving from a morbid open surgery, the procedure has been modernized through the application of physiological target confirmation, well-regulated thermal ablation, and improved intraoperative imaging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the utility in PRFC of a new high-resolution, portable flat-panel fluoroscopic imaging technology, the O-arm Imaging System. The O-arm allows traditional 2-dimensional fluoroscopy in addition to axial and 3-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  PRFC was performed using the O-arm Imaging System in 6 patients with unilateral cancer pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients experienced 90% to 100% initial pain relief, with 50% to 100% sustained pain relief at the time of death at 2 to 12 months. There were no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Portable flat-panel fluoroscopy allows high-resolution, readily updated computed tomography and fluoroscopic image guidance during PRFC. Use of this new technology may assist neurosurgeons in providing an important analgesic intervention at centers possessing the imaging technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5338, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Parag G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Patil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002818:Cordotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*