Radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation guided by digital subtraction angiography for syndrome of posterior ramus of lumbar nerve

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and assess the feasibility of radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation guided by digital subtraction angiography(DSA)for patients with syndrome of posterior ramus of lumbar nerve. Methods Eighty patients with syndrome of posterior ramus of lumbar nerve were randomly divided into two groups: denervated group (groupⅠ) and control group (groupⅡ). In groupⅠthe lateral branches of posterior ramus of lumbar nerve of the patients were treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation, while those in groupⅡwere injected with the mixture of betamethasone 1 mg and 2% lidocaine 1 ml. All patients were assessed using VAS before treatment and 30 min,1 d, 1 w,1 month and 6 months after treatment. The therapeutic effects and side effects were assessed at 6 months after treatment. Results VAS in groupsⅠandⅡat 30 min, 1 d, 1 w, 1 month after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment. In addition, those in groupⅠ,6 months after treatment, were also significantly lower(P0.01). Compared with those in the groupⅡ,VAS in groupⅠwere significantly decreased at 1 month and 6 months after treatment (P0. 05 and P0. 01) respectively. The therapeutic effects in groupⅠat 6 months after treatment were better than those in groupⅡ(P0. 01). There were no side effects, such as injuries to the nerve roots or dysfunctional dermal sensation in either group. Conclusion Radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation guided by DSA has good therapeutic effects on syndrome of posterior ramus of lumbar nerve. Such treatment is safe, convenient and provides long-term pain relief.