Effects of monopolar radiofrequency heating on intradiscal pressure in sheep.

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society · 2007 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 3514

In live sheep, intradiscal pressure was significantly reduced 1 week after monopolar RF heating and remained stable through 4 weeks. In vitro experiments indicated that electrode orientation, age group, and disc loading type significantly affected the magnitu…

Study snapshot

PublicationThe spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society · 2007

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: No previous study has assessed the effect of monopolar radiofrequency (RF) heating on intradiscal pressure. PURPOSE: To determine the decrease in lumbar intradiscal pressure after monopolar RF heating. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Intradiscal pressure was measured in sheep lumbar discs treated with monopolar RF heating. METHODS: Two monopolar RF heat treatments at 90 degrees C were applied for 2 minutes each to lumbar intervertebral discs of sheep. Intradiscal pressure was measured in live sheep at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days posttreatment. Pressure measurements were taken with a microtip pressure transducer. Electrodes were inserted but not activated in separate discs as a sham control. In vitro sheep spine of different age groups, loading conditions, and electrode orientations were similarly heat treated and intradiscal pressures were measured. RESULTS: Intradiscal pressure was significantly reduced 1 week after monopolar RF heating and remained stable through the 4-week observation period. The RF electrode orientation, the age, and the type of disc loading have significant effects on the amount of initial intradiscal pressure reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Monopolar RF heating can reduce intradiscal pressure in the lumbar spine of sheep.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationSheep (lumbar intervertebral discs; in vivo and in vitro sheep spine)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · Two treatments at 90°C for 2 minutes each

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Lumbar intradiscal pressure (measured at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days posttreatment)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
RF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, SAR) not reported
Animal model (sheep) and in vitro components may limit generalizability to humans
Follow-up limited to 4 weeks in vivo

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical/therapeutic radiofrequency heating (monopolar RF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Two treatments at 90°C for 2 minutes each"
  },
  "population": "Sheep (lumbar intervertebral discs; in vivo and in vitro sheep spine)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Lumbar intradiscal pressure (measured at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days posttreatment)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In live sheep, intradiscal pressure was significantly reduced 1 week after monopolar RF heating and remained stable through 4 weeks. In vitro experiments indicated that electrode orientation, age group, and disc loading type significantly affected the magnitude of the initial pressure reduction.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "RF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, SAR) not reported",
    "Animal model (sheep) and in vitro components may limit generalizability to humans",
    "Follow-up limited to 4 weeks in vivo"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency heating",
    "monopolar RF",
    "intradiscal pressure",
    "lumbar disc",
    "sheep",
    "sham control",
    "in vivo",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2006.04.019
PubMed: 17321974

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