Abstract
One of the main causes of chronic lower back pain is lumbar facet syndrome (LFS). It develops due to damage of the facet joints and subsequent irritation of the adjacent sensory nerves.
Diagnosing LFS is based on a combination of a complex clinical examination of the patient, evaluation of imaging diagnostic studies, and the results of precise nerve blockades under X-ray guidance. One of the treatment options in a patient with diagnosed LFS is a thermal ablation interventional procedure. In the following case studies, we present the clinical course, changes in the perception of pain and the trend of changes in the description of the quality of life in 3 patients with diagnosed LFS, who underwent a cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation procedure of the medial branch nerves providing sensory innervation to the facet joints. Our results show a significant improvement of the clinical state of the patients in the first and third months after the procedure. The 6 months follow-up examination demonstrates a recurrence of pain and a gradual deterioration in the quality of life with a lasting partial pain-relief effect. Thermal ablation neurotomy techniques represent an effective, albeit temporary treatment option for LFS patients, resulting from the pathophysiology of sensory nerve regeneration after destructive procedures. This type of treatment can be used repeatedly in the case of a positive response (Fig. 3, Graph 9, Ref. 15). Text in PDF www.lekarskyobzor.sk.
Key words: facet joint, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation.
Lek Obz 2022; 71 (4): 177 – 183
Ladislav KOČAN 1, Rudolf SUDZINA 2, Róbert RAPČAN 3, Hana KOČANOVÁ 4, Miroslav BURIÁNEK 5
1 Klinika anestéziológie a intenzívnej medicíny, Východoslovenský ústav srdcových a cievnych chorôb, Košice, Slovenská republika
2 Neurologická ambulancia, Východoslovenský ústav srdcových a cievnych chorôb, Košice, Slovenská republika
3 EuroPainClinics, Bardejov, Slovenská republika
4 Železničná nemocnica s poliklinikou Košice, Košice, Slovenská republika
5 EuroPainClinics, Praha, Česká republika
Cite:
KOČAN L., SUDZINA R., RAPČAN R., KOČANOVÁ H., BURIÁNEK M.: Thermoablation in treatment of lumbar facet joint syndrome (Case reports). Lek Obz 2022; 71 (4): 177 – 183
