title: Fluoroscopy-guided Bipolar Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Treatment for Discogenic Low Back Pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PIRFT) for the treatment of discogenic low back pain (LBP) remains controversial. However, all the PIRFT studies utilized monopolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of bipolar RFTC for the treatment of discogenic LBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 23 patients with discogenic LBP were treated with single-level bipolar RFTC. The patients were assessed before the procedure and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure. The primary outcome included the visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. The secondary outcome included pain relief, reduction of analgesic dose, and patient satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VAS and ODI scores were significantly decreased after bipolar RFTC treatment at all time points of follow-up (P < 0.05). Bipolar RFTC treatment also resulted in a significant change in all secondary measures, such as pain relief, reduction of analgesic dose, and patient satisfaction. No serious complications or neurological sequelae were observed in any of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bipolar RFTC treatment can significantly attenuate pain and improve the function of patients with discogenic LBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
authors.forename: Xin-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
authors.forename: Xu-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Nan
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome