Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nerve Block and Radiofrequency Ablation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Spine Pain Care

  • 1568 Accesses

Abstract

The main objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive review of nerve block and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We review technique, methodology, and primary indications for both nerve block and RFA techniques. We also survey current literature evidence of the various indications and methodologies used by RFA technique that span head and facial pain, facetogenic pain, sacroiliac joint pain, radicular pain, discogenic pain, and palliative and oncologic pain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Rotshenker S. Wallerian degeneration: the innate-immune response to traumatic nerve injury. J Neuroinflammation. 2011;8:109. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-8-109.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Choi EJ, Choi YM, Jang EJ, Kim JY, Kim TK, Kim KH. Neural ablation and regeneration in pain practice. Korean J Pain. 2016;29(1):3–11.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Eisenberg E, Carr DB, Chalmers TC. Neurolytic celiac plexus block for treatment of cancer pain: a meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 1995;80:290–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Joo YC, Park JY, Kim KH. Comparison of alcohol ablation with repeated thermal radiofrequency ablation in medial branch neurotomy for the treatment of recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain. J Anesth. 2013;27:390–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Chronic Pain Management; American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Practice guidelines for chronic pain management: an updated report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Chronic Pain Management and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Anesthesiology. 2010;112:810–33.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Campbell WW. Evaluation and management of peripheral nerve injury. Clin Neurophysiol. 2008;119:1951–65.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Fu SY, Gordon T. The cellular and molecular basis of peripheral nerve regeneration. Mol Neurobiol. 1997;14:67–116.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Zack-Williams SD, Butler PE, Kalaskar DM. Current progress in use of adipose derived stem cells in peripheral nerve regeneration. World J Stem Cells. 2015;7(1):51–64. https://doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.51.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Chua NH, Vissers KC, Sluijter ME. Pulsed radiofrequency treatment in interventional pain management: mechanisms and potential indications-a review. Acta Neurochir. 2011;153:763–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Acharya R, Kumar D, Mathur G. Study of electromagnetic radiation effects on human body and reduction techniques. In: Janyani V, Tiwari M, Singh G, Minzioni P, editors. Optical and wireless technologies. Lecture notes in electrical engineering, vol. 472. Singapore: Springer; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ball RD. The science of conventional and water-cooled monopolar lumbar radiofrequency rhizotomy: an electrical engineering point of view. Pain Physician. 2014;17(2):E175–211.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Haemmerich D. Biophysics of radiofrequency ablation. Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 2010;38:53–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Stovner L, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarava Z, Lipton R, Scher A, Zwart J. The global burden of headache: A documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalalgia. 2007;27:193–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Davies RM, Kincey J, Worthington HV. Oro-facial pain in the community: prevalence and associated impact. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2002;30(1):52–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ho KWD, Przkora R, Kumar S. Sphenopalatine ganglion: block, radiofrequency ablation and neurostimulation – a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2017;18:118.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Nagar VR, Birthi P, Grider JS, Asopa A. Systematic review of radiofrequency ablation and pulsed radiofrequency for management of cervicogenic headache. Pain Physician. 2015;18:109–30.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lord S, Barnsley L, Wallis B, Bogduk N. Third occipital nerve headache: A prevalence study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1994;57:1187–19.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Sodde P, Tunstall RG. Occipital neuralgia and its treatment. In: Nerves and nerve injuries. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2015. p. 35–51.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Manchikanti L, Staats P, Singh V. Evidence-based practice guidelines for interventional techniques in the management of chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2003;6:3–80.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Govind J, King W, Bailey B, Bogduk N. Radiofrequency neurotomy for the treatment of third occipital headache. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:88–93.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Epstein JB, Wilkie DJ, Fisher DJ, Kim YO, Villines D. Neuropathic and nociceptive pain in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. Head Neck Oncol. 2009;1:26.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Dennis J, Patin MD. Pain control in head and neck cancer. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998;86:85–9.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Khonsary SA, Ma Q, Villablanca P, Emerson J, Malkasian D. Clinical functional anatomy of the pterygopalatine ganglion, cephalgia and related dysautonomias: a review. Surg Neurol Int. 2013;4:S422–8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Narouze SN. Role of sphenopalatine ganglion neuroablation in the management of cluster headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010;14(2):160–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0100-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 20425206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Cady R, Saper J, Dexter K, Manley HR. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of repetitive transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion blockade with tx360(®) as acute treatment for chronic migraine. Headache. 2015a;55(1):101–16.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Narouze S, Kapural L, Casanova J, Mekhail N. Sphenopalatine ganglion radiofrequency ablation for the management of chronic cluster headache. Headache: J Head Face Pain. 2009;49(4):571–7.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Cohen SP, Raja SN. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2007;106:591–614.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Glover JR. Arthrography of the joints of the lumbar vertebral arches. Orthop Clin North Am. 1977;8:37–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Narouze SN. Atlantoaxial joint: atlantoaxial joint injection and radiofrequency ablation. In: Narouze S, editor. Interventional management of head and face pain. New York: Springer; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. Third occipital nerve headache. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1994;57:1187–90.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Boswell MV, Manchikanti L, Kaye AD, Bakshi S, Gharibo CG, Gupta S, et al. A best-evidence systematic appraisal of the diagnostic accuracy and utility of facet (zygapophysial) joint injections in chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2015;18:E497–533.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Manchikanti L, Hirsch JA, Kaye AD, Boswell MV. Cervical zygapophysial (facet) joint pain: effectiveness of interventional management strategies. Postgrad Med. 2016;128(1):54–68.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lewinnek GE, Warfield CA. Facet joint degeneration as a cause of low back pain. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1986;213:216–22.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Yang KH, King AI. Mechanism of facet load transmission as a hypothesis for low-back pain. Spine. 1984;9:557–65.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Dory MA. Arthrography of the lumbar facet joints. Radiology. 1981;140:23–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Gellhorn A, Katz J, Suri P. Osteoarthritis of the spine: the facet joints. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2012;9:216–24. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.199.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Itz CJ, Willems PC, Zeilstra DJ, Huygen FJ, Dutch Society of Anesthesiologists; Dutch Orthopedic Association; Dutch Neurosurgical Society. Dutch multidisciplinary guideline for invasive treatment of pain syndromes of the lumbosacral spine. Pain Pract. 2016;16(1):90–110.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. van Kleef M, Spaans F, Dingemans W, Barendse GA, Floor E, Sluijter ME. Effects and side effects of a percutaneous thermal lesion of the dorsal root ganglion in patients with cervical pain syndrome. Pain. 1993;52:49–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Viikari-Juntura E, Porras M, Laasonen EM. Validity of clinical tests in the diagnosis of root compression in cervical disc disease. Spine. 1989;14:253–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Manchikanti L, Kaye AD, Boswell MV, Bakshi S, Gharibo CG, Grami V, et al. A systematic review and best evidence synthesis of the effectiveness of therapeutic facet joint interventions in managing chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2015;18:E535–82.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Wilde VE, Ford JJ, McMeeken JM. Indicators of lumbar zygapophyseal joint pain: survey of an expert panel with the Delphi technique. Phys Ther. 2007;87:1348–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Leclaire R, Fortin L, Lambert R, Bergeron YM, Rossignol M. Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain: a placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy. Spine. 2001;26:1411–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Lord S, Barnsley L, Wallis B, McDonald GJ, Bogduk N. Percutaneous radio-frequency neurotomy for chronic cervical zygapophyseal-joint pain. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:1721–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Macvicar J, Borowczyk JM, Macvicar AM, Loughnan BM, Bogduk N. Cervical medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy in New Zealand. Pain Med. 2012;13:647–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Manchikanti KN, Atluri S, Singh V, Geffert S, Sehgal N, Falco FJ. An update of evaluation of therapeutic thoracic facet joint interventions. Pain Physician. 2012;15(4):E463–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Manchikanti L, Manchikanti KN, Manchukonda R, Pampati V, Cash KA. Evaluation of therapeutic thoracic medial branch block effectiveness in chronic thoracic pain: a prospective outcome study with minimum 1-year follow up. Pain Physician. 2006;9:97–105.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Falco FJE, Cash KA, Pampati V, Fellows B. The role of thoracic medial branch blocks in managing chronic mid and upper back pain: a randomized, double-blind, active-control trial with a 2-year follow-up. Anesthesiol Res Pract. 2012;2012:585806.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Stolker RJ, Vervest AC, Groen GJ. Percutaneous facet denervation in chronic thoracic spinal pain. Acta Neurochir. 1993;122:82–90.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Speldewinde GC. Outcomes of percutaneous zygapophysial and sacroiliac joint neurotomy in a community setting. Pain Med. 2011;12:209–18.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. van Kleef M, Barendse GA, Kessels A, Voets HM, Weber WE, de Lange S. Randomized trial of radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation for chronic low back pain. Spine. 1999;24:1937–42.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gallagher J, Vadi PLP, Wesley JR. Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain-a prospective controlled double-blind study in assess to efficacy. Pain Clin. 1994;7:193–8.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Nath S, Nath CA, Pettersson K. Percutaneous lumbar zygapophysial (Facet) joint neurotomy using radiofrequency current, in the management of chronic low back pain: a randomized double-blind trial. Spine. 2008;33:1291–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Tekin I, Mirzai H, Ok G, Erbuyun K, Vatansever D. A comparison of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of chronic facet joint pain. Clin J Pain. 2007;23:524–9.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Kroll HR, Kim D, Danic MJ, Sankey SS, Gariwala M, Brown M. A randomized, double-blind, prospective study comparing the efficacy of continuous versus pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of lumbar facet syndrome. J Clin Anesth. 2008;20:534–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bharti N, Singla N, Batra Y. Radiofrequency ablation of superior hypogastric plexus for the management of pelvic cancer pain. Indian J Pain. 2016;30:58.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Juch JNS, Maas ET, Ostelo RWJG, Groeneweg JG, Kallewaard JW, Koes BW, et al. Effect of radiofrequency denervation on pain intensity among patients with chronic low back pain: the MINT randomized clinical trials. JAMA. 2017;318:68–81.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Magee DJ. Pelvis. In: Orthopedic physical assessment. 6th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2014. p. 649–88.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Cox RC, Fortin JD. The anatomy of the lateral branches of the sacral dorsal rami: implications for radiofrequency ablation. Pain Physician. 2014;17(5):459–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Hammoud S, Bedi A, Voos JE, Mauro CS, Kelly BT. The recognition and evaluation of patterns of compensatory injury in patients with mechanical hip pain. Sports Health. 2014;6(2):108–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738114522201.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Cox M, Ng G, Mashriqi F, Iwanaga J, Alonso F, Tubbs K, et al. Innervation of the anterior sacroiliac joint. World Neurosurg. 2017;107:750–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Provenzano DA, Buvanendran A, De León-Casasola OA, Narouze S, Cohen SP. Interpreting the MINT randomized trials evaluating radiofrequency ablation for lumbar facet and sacroiliac joint pain: a call from ASRA for better education, study design, and performance. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018;43(1):68–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. van der Wurff P, Buijs EJ, Groen GJ. Intensity mapping of pain referral areas in sacroiliac joint pain patients. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006;29:190–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.01.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Laslett M, Aprill CN, Mcdonald B, Young SB. Diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pain: validity of individual provocation tests and composites of tests. Man Ther. 2005;10:207–18.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Kennedy DJ, Engel A, Kreiner DS, Nampiaparampil D, Duszynski B, MacVicar J. Fluoroscopically guided diagnostic and therapeutic intra-articular sacroiliac joint injections: a systematic review. Pain Med. 2015;16(8):1500–18.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Cohen SP, Hurley RW, Buckenmaier CC, Kurihara C, Morlando B, Dragovich A. Randomized placebo-controlled study evaluating lateral branch radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2008;109(2):279–88. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e31817f4c7c.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Burnham R, Yasui Y. An alternate method of radiofrequency neurotomy of the sacroiliac joint: a pilot study of the effect on pain, function, and satisfaction. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32(1):12–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Bellini M, Barbieri M. Single strip lesions radiofrequency denervation for treatment of sacroiliac joint pain: two years’ results. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther. 2016;48(1):19–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Buijs EJ, Kamphuis ET, Groen GJ. Radiofrequency treatment of sacroiliac joint-related pain aimed at the first three sacral dorsal rami: a minimal approach. Pain Clin. 2004;16(2):139–46.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Biswas B, Dey S, Biswas S, Mohan VK. Water-cooled radiofrequency neuroablation for sacroiliac joint dysfunctional pain. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016;32(4):525.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. Cheng J, Chen SL, Zimmerman N, Dalton JE, LaSalle G, Rosenquist R. A new radiofrequency ablation procedure to treat sacroiliac joint pain. Pain Physician. 2016;19:603–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Aydin SM, Gharibo CG, Mehnert M, Stitik TP. The role of radiofrequency ablation for sacroiliac joint pain: a meta-analysis. PM R. 2010;2(9):842–51.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Simopoulos TT, Manchikanti L, Gupta S. Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions. Pain Physician. 2015;18:E713–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Sluijter ME, Teixeira A, Serra V, Balogh S, Schianchi P. Intra-articular application of pulsed radiofrequency for arthrogenic pain—report of six cases. Pain Pract. 2008;8(1):57–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Chang MC, Ahn SH. The effect of intra-articular stimulation by pulsed radiofrequency on chronic sacroiliac joint pain refractory to intra-articular corticosteroid injection: a retrospective study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(26):e7367.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Ferrante F. Radiofrequency sacroiliac joint denervation for sacroiliac syndrome. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2001;26(2):137–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Lutz GE, Vad VB, Wisneski RJ. Fluoroscopic transforaminal lumbar epidural steroids: an outcome study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998;79(11):1362–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Pope JE, Deer TR, Kramer J. A systematic review: current and future directions of dorsal root ganglion therapeutics to treat chronic pain. Pain Med. 2013;14:1477–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. van Kleef M, Liem L, Lousberg R, Barendse G, Kessels F, Sluijter M. Radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion for cervicobrachial pain: a prospective double blind randomized study. Neurosurgery. 1996;38:1127–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Slappendel R, Crul BJ, Braak GJ, Geurts JW, Booij LH, Voerman VF, et al. The efficacy of radiofrequency lesioning of the cervical spinal dorsal root ganglion in a double blinded randomized study: no difference between 40 degrees C and 67 degrees C treatments. Pain. 1997;73:159–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Geurts JW, Van Wijk RM, Wynne HJ, Hammink E, Buskens E, Lousberg R, et al. Radiofrequency lesioning of the dorsal root ganglia for chronic lumbosacral radicular radicular pain: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Lancet. 2003;361:21–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Haspeslagh SR, Van Suijlekom HA, Lame IE, Kessels AG, van Kleef M, Weber WE. Randomized controlled trial of cervical radiofrequency lesions as a treatment for cervicogenic headache. BMC Anesthesiol. 2006;6:1–11.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  82. Stolker RJ, Vervest ACM, Groen GJ. The treatment of chronic thoracic segmental pain by radiofrequency percutaneous partial rhizotomy. J Neurosurg. 1994;80:986–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. van Boxem K, van Eerd M, Brinkhuizen T, Patijn J, van Kleef M, van Zundert J. Radiofrequency and pulsed radiofrequency treatment of chronic pain syndromes: the available evidence. Pain Pract. 2008;8:385–93.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Van Boxem K, Huntoon M, Van Zundert J, Patijn J, van Kleef M, Joosten EA. Pulsed radiofrequency: a review of the basic science as applied to the pathophysiology of radicular pain: a call for clinical translation. Reg Anaesth Pain Med. 2014;39:149–59.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Liem L, van Dongen E, Huygen FJ, Staats P, Kramer J. The dorsal root ganglion as a therapeutic target for chronic pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016;41(4):511–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Choi GS, Ahn SH, Cho YW, Lee DG. Long-term effect of pulsed radiofrequency on chronic cervical radicular pain refractory to repeated transforaminal epidural injections. Pain Med. 2012;13:368–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Sluijter ME, Cosman ER, Rittman WB, Van Kleef M. The effects of pulsed radiofrequency fields applied to the dorsal root ganglion: a preliminary report. Pain Clin. 1998;11:109–17.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Tsou HK, Chao SC, Wang CJ, Chen HT, Shen CC, Lee HT, et al. Percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency applied to the L2 dorsal root ganglion for treatment of chronic low-back pain: 3-year experience. J Neurosurg Spine. 2010;12:190–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Derby R, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. The relative contributions of the disc and zygapophyseal joint in chronic low back pain. Spine. 1994;19:801–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Hadjipavlou AG, Simmons JW, Pope MH, Necessary JT, Goel VK. Pathomechanics and clinical relevance of disc degeneration and annular tear: a point-of-view review. Am J Orthop. 1999;28:561–71.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Sambrook PN, MacGregor AJ, Spector TD. Genetic influences on cervical and lumbar disc degeneration: a magnetic resonance imaging study in twins. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42:366–72.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Battie MC, Videman T, Gill K, Moneta GB, Nyman R, Kaprio J, et al. 1991 Volvo Award in clinical sciences. Smoking and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration: an MRI study of identical twins. Spine. 1991;16:1015–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Fogelholm RR, Alho AV. Smoking and intervertebral disc degeneration. Med Hypotheses. 2001;56:537–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Yang JY. The pathogenesis and medical treatment of spondylogenic pain. Asian Spine J. 2010;4(1):57–63. https://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2010.4.1.57.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  95. Groen GJ, Baljet B, Drukker J. Nerves and nerve plexuses of the human vertebral column. Am J Anat. 1990;188:282–96.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Hasegawa T, An HS, Inufusa A, Mikawa Y, Watanabe R. The effect of age on inflammatory responses and nerve root injuries after lumbar disc herniation: an experimental study in a canine model. Spine. 2000;25:937–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Zhou Y, Abdi S. Diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of lumbar discogenic pain – a review of the literature. Clin J Pain. 2006;22:468–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Itz C, Willems P, Zeilstra D, Huygen F. Dutch multidisciplinary guideline for invasive treatment of pain syndromes of the lumbosacral spine. Pain Pract. 2016;16:90–110.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Barendse GA, van Den Berg SG, Kessels AH, Weber WE, van Kleef M. Randomized controlled trial of percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation for chronic discogenic back pain: lack of effect from a 90-second 70 °C lesion. Spine. 2001;26:287–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Oh WS, Shim JC. A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency denervation of the ramus communicans nerve for chronic discogenic low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2004;20:55–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Sloan PA, Melzack R. Long-term patterns of morphine dosage and pain intensity among cancer patients. Hosp J. 1999;14:35–47.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Vissers KC, Besse K, Wagemans M, Zuurmond W, Giezeman MJ, Lataster A, et al. 23. Pain in patients with cancer. Pain Pract. 2011;11:453–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Foley KM. The treatment of cancer pain. N Engl J Med. 1985;313:84–95.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Grond S, Zech D, Lynch J, Diefenbach C, Schug SA, Lehmann KA. Validation of world health organization guidelines for pain relief in head and neck cancer. A prospective study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1993;102:342–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Vecht CJ, Hoff AM, Kansen PJ, de Boer MF, Bosch DA. Types and causes of pain in cancer of the head and neck. Cancer. 1992;70:178–84.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Ghei A, Khot S. Pain management in patients with head and neck carcinoma. Otorhinolaryngol Clin. 2010;2:69–75.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Raj PP, Erdine S. Pain-relieving procedures. 1st ed. Wiley-Blackwell: Hoboken; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Gulati A, Shah R, Puttanniah V, Hung JC, Malhotra V. A retrospective review and treatment paradigm of interventional therapies for patients suffering from intractable thoracic chest wall pain in the oncologic population. Pain Med. 2015;16(4):802–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Wong FC, Lee TW, Yuen KK, Lo SH, Sze WK, Tung SY. Intercostal nerve blockade for cancer pain: effectiveness and selection of patients. Hong Kong Med J. 2007;13:266–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Doyle D. Nerve blocks in advanced cancer. Practitioner. 1982;226(539):541–4.

    Google Scholar 

  111. Zhong W, Yu Z, Zeng JX, Lin Y, Yu T, Min XH, et al. Celiac plexus block for treatment of pain associated with pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. Pain Pract. 2014;14:43–51.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Bapat AA, Hostetter G, Von Hoff DD, Han H. Perineural invasion and associated pain in pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2011;11:695–707.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Wong GY, Schroeder DR, Carns PE, Wilson JL, Martin DP, Kinney MO, et al. Effect of neurolytic celiac plexus block on pain relief, quality of life, and survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004;291:1092–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. Brogan S, Junkins S. Interventional therapies for management of cancer pain. J Support Oncol. 2010;8:52–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  115. Ischia S, Ischia A, Polati E, Finco G. Three posterior percutaneous celiac plexus block techniques. A prospective, randomized study in 61 patients with pancreatic cancer pain. Anesthesiology. 1992;76:534–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Jain P, Dutta A, Sood J. Coeliac plexus blockade and neurolysis: an overview. Indian J Anaesth. 2006;50:169–77.

    Google Scholar 

  117. Staats PS, Hekmat H, Sauter P, Lillemoe K. The effects of alcohol celiac plexus block, pain, and mood on longevity in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Pain Med. 2001;2:28–34.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Kawamata M, Ishitani K, Ishikawa K, Sasaki H, Ota K, Omote K, et al. Comparison between celiac plexus block and morphine treatment on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer pain. Pain. 1996;64:597–602.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Arcidiacono PG, Calori G, Carrara S, McNicol ED, Testoni PA. Celiac plexus block for pancreatic cancer pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;3:CD007519.

    Google Scholar 

  120. Swarm RA, Karanikolas M, Cousins MJ. Anaesthetic techniques for pain control. In: Doyle DD, Hanks G, Cherny NI, Calman SK, editors. Oxford textbook of palliative medicine. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2005. p. 378–96.

    Google Scholar 

  121. Nachemson A. The load on lumbar disks in different positions of the body. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1966;45:107–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Waldman SD. Splanchnic and celiac plexus nerve block. Chapter 160. In: Pain management. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2011. p. 1191–204.

    Google Scholar 

  123. Waldman SD. Hypogastric plexus block: classic two-needle technique. Chapter 112. In: Atlas of interventional pain management. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2015. p. 609–17.

    Google Scholar 

  124. Schultz DM. Inferior hypogastric plexus blockade: a transsacral approach. Pain Phys. 2007;10(6):757–63.

    Google Scholar 

  125. Lillemoe KD, Cameron JL, Kaufman HS, Yeo CJ, Pitt HA, Sauter PK. Chemical splanchnicectomy in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective randomized trial. Ann Surg. 1993;217:447–55.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  126. Plancarte R, Amescua C, Patt RB, Aldrete JA. Superior hypogastric plexus block for pelvic cancer pain. Anesthesiology. 1990;73:236–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Mohamed SA, Ahmed DG, Mohamad MF. Chemical neurolysis of the inferior hypogastric plexus for the treatment of cancer-related pelvic and perineal pain. Pain Res Manag. 2013;18:249–52.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  128. Oh CS, Chung IH, Ji HJ, Yoon DM. Clinical implications of topographic anatomy on the ganglion impar. Anesthesiology. 2004;101:249–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Lim SJ, Park HJ, Lee SH, Moon DE. Ganglion impar block with botulinum toxin type A for chronic perineal pain – a case report. Korean J Pain. 2010;23:65–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  130. Reig E, Abejón D, del Pozo C, Insausti J, Contreras R. Thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar or Ganglion of Walther: description of a modified approach. Preliminary results in chronic, nononcological pain. Pain Pract. 2005;5:103–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, UCSD Health Science and VA San Diego Healthcare, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Joel Castellanos & Krishnan Chakravarthy

Authors
  1. Joel Castellanos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Krishnan Chakravarthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Richard J. Kitz Professor of Anesthesia Research Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jianren Mao

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Castellanos, J., Chakravarthy, K. (2020). Nerve Block and Radiofrequency Ablation. In: Mao, J. (eds) Spine Pain Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27447-4_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27447-4_23

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-27446-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-27447-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation