Pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion in patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study

Figures & data

Figure 1 Radiculogram demonstrating needle placed near the dorsal root ganglion at L5 (left) and S1 (right).

Figure 2 CONSORT flow chart.

Abbreviations: PRF, pulsed radiofrequency; TFESI, transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

Table 1 Comparison between the two groups for demographic variables, levels of DRG treated, and possible etiology of CLR pain

	PRF (n=16)	Placebo (n=15)
Age (years), median (minimum, maximum)	62 (45–85)	57 (35–83)
Sex (M, F)	10, 6	8, 7
Levels of DRG treated#
L3	1	0
L4	4	3
L5	10	10
S1	2	2 (1 abandoned)
Etiology of CLR pain
Disc-related	7	8
Spinal/foraminal stenosis	5	5
Previous back surgery with fibrosis	4	2

Note:

# One patient in each group had both L5 and S1 treated on the same side.

Abbreviations: PRF, pulsed radiofrequency; CLR, chronic lumbar radicular; DRG, dorsal root ganglion.

Figure 3 Comparison of mean visual analog scores between the two groups shown as a plot over time.

Abbreviations: OP, operation; PRF, pulsed radiofrequency; VAS, visual analog scale.

Figure 4 Comparison of mean Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores between the two groups shown as a plot over time.

Abbreviation: PRF, pulsed radiofrequency.

Table 2 Differences between the two groups in VAS score post intervention

Time point	Difference (PRF – placebo)	P-value
24 hours	−1.68 (−0.43, 0.96)	0.198
1 week	−0.37 (−3.82, 3.08)	0.817
4 weeks	−0.61 (−2.68, 1.46)	0.552
2 months	−1.15 (−3.61, 1.31)	0.342
3 months	−0.75 (−3.12, 1.63)	0.524

Notes: Data are shown as the mean and 95% confidence interval; the independent-samples t-test was used to test for statistical significance.

Abbreviations: VAS, visual analog scale; PRF, pulsed radiofrequency.

Table 3 Difference between the two groups for ODI* scores post intervention

Time point	Difference (PRF – placebo)	P-value
1 week	−0.06 (−0.24, 0.12)	0.485
4 weeks	−0.03 (−0.17, 0.11)	0.658
2 months	−0.08 (−0.22, 0.06)	0.254
3 months	−0.08 (−0.22, 0.07)	0.278

Notes: Data are shown as the mean and 95% confidence interval; the independent-samples t-test was used to test for statistical significance

* ODI scores to be multiplied by 100 for percentage disability.

Abbreviations: ODI, Oswestry Disability Index; PRF, pulsed radiofrequency.