Radiofrequency for chronic lumbosacral and cervical pain: Results of a consensus study using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.

Background: Despite the routine use of radiofrequency (RF) for the treatment of chronic pain in the lumbosacral and cervical region, there remains uncertainty on the most appropriate patient selection criteria. This study aimed to develop appropriateness criteria for RF in relation to relevant patient characteristics, considering RF ablation (RFA) for the treatment of chronic axial pain and pulsed RF (PRF) for the treatment of chronic radicular pain.

Methods: The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RUAM) was used to explore the opinions of a multidisciplinary European panel on the appropriateness of RFA and PRF for a variety of clinical scenarios.

[Radiofrequency denervation of the spine and the sacroiliac joint : A systematic literature search according to GRADE with new German S3 guideline].

Background: This article summarizes the results of the German guideline on radiofrequency denervation of the facet joints and the sacroiliac joint. Evidence on the indications, test blocks and technical parameters are presented.

Objective: The aim is to avoid overtreatment and undertreatment, which is also of socioeconomic importance.

Radiofrequency Denervation of the Spine and the Sacroiliac Joint: A Systematic Review based on the Grades of Recommendations, Assesment, Development, and Evaluation Approach Resulting in a German National Guideline.

Study Design: Systematic review of the literature and subsequent meta-analysis for the development of a new guideline.

Objectives: This manuscript summarizes the recommendations from a new clinical guideline published by the German Spine Society. It covers the current evidence on recommendations regarding the indication, test blocks and use of radiofrequency denervation.

[Evidence-based interventional pain medicine : Progress over the past 10 years].

Interventional pain medicine plays an important role in pain therapy for neck and back pain. However, spine interventions are characterized by controversy between its proponents and its detractors. Detractors variously assert that the procedures practiced lack validity, are not effective, or produce complications that impugn the procedures.

The Frequency of Resurgery after Percutaneous Lumbar Surgery Using Dekompressor in a Ten-Year Period.

To prevent open surgical procedures, minimally invasive techniques, like Dekompressor (PLDD), have been developed. The absence of reherniation is an important factor correlating with clinical success after lumbar surgery. In this retrospective, observational study, the frequency of additional open surgery after PLDD in a long time retrospective was examined.

Coronal oblique orientation of the neural foramen improves cervical spine MRI: A comparison of the sensitivity of different angulations.

Objective: Angulated projections are used in radiography to show the cervical neural foramen. Imaging the coronal oblique planes in an MRI of the cervical spine should therefore improve visualization of neural foramen pathology. This has to be demonstrated.

The Frequency of Re-Surgery After Cervical Disc Nucleoplasty.

Objective: In percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty (PCN) a portion of the nucleus tissue is ablated using the Coblation technique. Re-surgery is an important factor for the clinical outcome. However, the rate of subsequent surgery after PCN is still unknown.

Response to Cervical Medial Branch Blocks In Patients with Cervicogenic Vertigo.

Background: Among the various causes of vertigo, the so-called cervicogenic vertigo (CV) has been the most controversial. However, perturbations of proprioceptive signals and abnormal activity of the cervical afferents can induce vertigo. Medial branch blocks (MBBs) are a diagnostic tool designed to test whether a patient's neck pain is mediated by one or more of the medial branches of the dorsal rami of the spinal nerve.

The frequency of re-surgery after lumbar disc Nucleoplasty in a ten-year period.

Objective: Percutaneous disc nucleoplasty (PDN) is a minimally invasive technique. A portion of the nucleus tissue is ablated using the Coblation technique. Re-surgery is an important factor for the clinical outcome.

The incidence of dural tears after complete resection of lumbar synovial cysts and the relation to the outcome.

Objective: Synovial cysts in the lumbar spine are uncommon causes of radicular pain. In cases where conservative treatment fails, surgical resection is recommended. Dural adhesions are common intraoperative findings; therefore, the removal of the cyst may sometimes result in dural tears.

[Interventions on facet joints. Techniques of facet joint injection, medial branch block and radiofrequency ablation].

Fluoroscopy-guided interventions on facet joints have been used for decades for the symptomatic management of pain in spinal disorders. A large number of imaging techniques are used to achieve a precise and safe needle placement in interventional procedures. Pulsed fluoroscopy is one of the most widely used and well-accepted tools for these procedures.

[Utility of coronal oblique slices in cervical spine MRI: Improved detection of the neuroforamina].

Background And Objectives: Angulated projections are standard in conventional radiography of the cervical spine, but rarely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As neuroforaminal pathology plays an important role in the etiology of radicular syndromes and may influence an operative approach, the utility of coronal oblique slices in MRI is explored.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective setting, 25 consecutive patients with neurologically diagnosed cervical monoradiculopathy were identified.

First Report of Recurrent Intramuscular Lipoma after Decompression Surgery of the Lumbar Spine.

Intramuscular or infiltrating lipomas are rare. We present a 58-year-old man with an intramuscular lipoma developing after decompression surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. One year after macroscopically complete lipoma resection, an even bigger recurrent tumor had to be removed.

Response to transforaminal injection of steroids and correlation to mri findings in patients with cervical radicular pain or radiculopathy due to disc herniation or spondylosis.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of cervical transforaminal injection of steroids (CTFIS) and to explore possible determinants of response in patients with cervical disc herniation.

Design: Retrospective practice audit covering a time period of 6 months.

Setting: Single spine center in which the patients underwent CTFIS, surgery, and subsequent treatment.

Zygapophysial joint pain in post lumbar surgery syndrome. The efficacy of medial branch blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of zygapophysial joint pain in patients after disc surgery, and to determine the effectiveness of radiofrequency neurotomy for its treatment.

Design: Retrospective practice audit.

Setting: Review of charts of all patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery during a time period of 2 years.

Radicular pain in post lumbar surgery syndrome: the significance of transforaminal injection of steroids.

Objective: The objective of the study was to see if transforaminal injection of steroids might be an effective treatment for persistent radicular pain after disc surgery.

Design: The study was designed as a retrospective practice audit covering a time period of 2 years.

Setting: The study was set in a single spine center in which all patients underwent lumbar disc surgery, postoperative follow-up, and subsequent treatment.

Radiofrequency neurotomy for treatment of low back pain in patients with minor degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Background: Degenerative spondylolisthesis is one of the major causes for low back pain. Morphological abnormalities of the zygapophysial joints are a predisposing factor in the development of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Therefore, radiofrequency neurotomy seems to be a rational therapy.

The benefit of therapeutic medial branch blocks after cervical operations.

Background: Persistent neck pain is a common problem after surgery of the cervical spine. No therapy recommendation exists for these patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if a therapeutic medial branch block is a rational treatment for patients with postoperative neck pain after cervical spine operations.

Radiofrequency neurotomy for the treatment of therapy-resistant neck pain after ventral cervical operations.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if radiofrequency neurotomy is effective for patients with postoperative neck pain after cervical spine operations.

Design: The study design used was a retrospective practice audit.

Setting: Review of charts of all patients who underwent cervical spine operations for degenerative reasons during a time period of 2.

A proven de novo germline mutation in HNPCC.

Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) is a heterogeneous group of tumour predisposition syndromes caused by germline mutations in at least four different mismatch repair genes. HNPCC patients are prone to the development of carcinomas of the intestinal tract and other specific sites. Identification of presumptive HNPCC patients is primarily based on a positive family history of colorectal cancer in at least two generations.