Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation as a Treatment for Symptomatic Bertolotti's Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Background

Bertolotti's syndrome may be a risk factor for low back pain.

Findings

A 58-year-old female patient with chronic low back and left buttock pain due to Bertolotti's syndrome experienced incomplete relief with L5 selective transforaminal epidural block. A local anesthetic and corticosteroid injection into the pseudoarticulation and at the lower and upper pseudoarticular margin at one week intervals resulted in temporary relief. Pulsed radiofrequency was performed at the upper and lower pseudoarticular margins. She had complete relief of pain after six months.

Conclusion

Pulsed radiofrequency treatment may be useful for patients with Bertolotti's syndrome.

Keywords:

• Bertolotti's syndrome
• pulsed radiofrequency
• pain

Acknowledgement

Financial support was not provided.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.