RF Safe

Effects of producing a radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion in patients with thoracic segmental pain.

The Clinical journal of pain · 1995 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4297

Radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion produced short-term pain relief at 8 weeks in 67% of patients and long-term pain relief (>36 weeks) in 52% among those with limited segmental pain distribution. The procedure was less effective when m…

Study snapshot

PublicationThe Clinical journal of pain · 1995
Study typecohort
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion (RF-DRG) on a consecutive group of patients presenting with chronic thoracic pain. DESIGN: Retrospective study by a disinterested third party. SETTING: Clinical outcome study. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients with a minimum of 6 months history of unilateral thoracic segmental pain, unresponsive to conservative therapy were involved. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were selected for a radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion after two or more prognostic nerve blocks had been performed under fluoroscopic control. The level which provided the best analgesic response was selected. At this level, a radiofrequency lesion was made at 67 degrees for 60 s immediately adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Rating of pain was done on a four-step verbal rating scale. RESULTS: A radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion provided short-term (8 weeks) relief of pain in 67% and long-term relief (> 36 weeks) of pain in 52% of patients with a limited segmental distribution of pain. If more than two segmental levels were involved, the procedure was found to be less effective. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significantly (p < 0.05) better short-term and long-term pain relief in patients with a clearly localized pain that was confined to one or two thoracic segmental levels, compared to patients with more than two segmental levels involved in the pain syndrome.

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 typecohort
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients with chronic unilateral thoracic segmental pain (minimum 6 months), unresponsive to conservative therapy
Sample size43
Exposure67 degrees for 60 s
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion produced short-term pain relief at 8 weeks in 67% of patients and long-term pain relief (>36 weeks) in 52% among those with limited segmental pain distribution. The procedure was less effective when more than two thoracic segmental levels were involved, with significantly better outcomes (p<0.05) for pain confined to one or two levels versus more than two levels.

Outcomes measured

  • Pain relief (short-term ~8 weeks)
  • Pain relief (long-term >36 weeks)

Limitations

  • Retrospective study design
  • No control/comparator group described in abstract
  • Outcome assessed with a four-step verbal rating scale (limited granularity)
  • Results suggest effectiveness depends on extent of segmental involvement
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "medical radiofrequency lesion (RF-DRG)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "67 degrees for 60 s"
  },
  "population": "Patients with chronic unilateral thoracic segmental pain (minimum 6 months), unresponsive to conservative therapy",
  "sample_size": 43,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain relief (short-term ~8 weeks)",
    "Pain relief (long-term >36 weeks)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion produced short-term pain relief at 8 weeks in 67% of patients and long-term pain relief (>36 weeks) in 52% among those with limited segmental pain distribution. The procedure was less effective when more than two thoracic segmental levels were involved, with significantly better outcomes (p<0.05) for pain confined to one or two levels versus more than two levels.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective study design",
    "No control/comparator group described in abstract",
    "Outcome assessed with a four-step verbal rating scale (limited granularity)",
    "Results suggest effectiveness depends on extent of segmental involvement"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency lesion",
    "dorsal root ganglion",
    "thoracic segmental pain",
    "chronic pain",
    "RF-DRG",
    "fluoroscopic control",
    "nerve blocks",
    "clinical outcomes"
  ],
  "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: 10.1097/00002508-199512000-00010
PubMed: 8788580

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