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Title: Effect Of Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment In Chronic Lumbar Radicular Pain: A Prospective Interventional Study
e-poster Number: INSIM58
Category: Pain
Author Name: Sonal Goyal
Institute: All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh
Co-Author Name: Dr Ajit Kumar
Abstract :
Introduction: Lumbar radicular pain (LRP) is the typical manifestation of inflammation and irritation of lumbar spinal nerves and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG).
Aims & Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of the DRG in LRP in terms of pain outcome (numerical rating scale (NRS)) and assessment of functional status. Changes in serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was also evaluated at 3-month post-PRF and compared with baseline levels, and correlation analysis was done between serum IL-6 levels and pain scores.
Materials & Methods: This was a prospective interventional study (CTRI/2021/05/033556). Thirty-eight patients of chronic LRP who failed conservative treatment were received three cycles of PRF of DRG at 2 Hz, 42°C for 180 seconds.
Results: A significant reduction in pain score and improved functional status was observed at 2-week, 1-month, 3-month post-PRF as compared to baseline (p<0.001). The mean IL-6 (pg/ml) was significantly reduced at 3-month (p<0.001). A strong positive, statistically significant correlation was seen between baseline NRS and serum IL-6 level (rho = 0.81, p = <0.001) and no correlation was observed between NRS and serum IL-6 level at 3-month (rho = -0.06, p = 0.711). Mild transient side effect was reported by few patients with no major complications.
Conclusion: PRF of the DRG results in substantial pain relief and improvement in the quality of life in chronic LRP patients. Effect on the serum IL-6 levels depicts its immunomodulatory role but study design, small sample size and short follow-up period provides limited evidence.
