title: Management of pudendal neuralgia using ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency: a report of two cases and discussion of pudendal nerve block techniques.
abstract: Pudendal neuralgia is characterized by chronic pain or discomfort in the area innervated by the pudendal nerve, with no obvious cause. A successful pudendal nerve block is crucial for the diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia. Blind or fluoroscopy-guided pudendal nerve blocks have been conventionally used for diagnosis and treatment; however, ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve blocks were also reported recently. With regard to the achievement of long-term effects, although pulsed radiofrequency performed under fluoroscopic guidance has been reported, that performed under ultrasound guidance is not well reported. This report describes two cases of pudendal neuralgia that were successfully managed using ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency and presents a literature review of pudendal nerve block techniques. However, in the management of chronic neuropathic pain, physicians should keep in mind that the placebo effect related to invasive approaches must not be neglected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myong-Joo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, School of Medicine, 344-2, Sinyong-dong, Iksan, 570-711, Republic of Korea. kydpain@hanmail.net.|Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Iksan, Republic of Korea. kydpain@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Yeon-Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, School of Medicine, 344-2, Sinyong-dong, Iksan, 570-711, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyon-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy; D060525:Pudendal Nerve; D060545:Pudendal Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Pelvic pain; Pudendal nerve; Pudendal neuralgia; Pulsed radiofrequency; Ultrasound guidance