Sacroiliac Joint Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques

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. Depending on the type of pain (axial or radicular), the expert panel rated the appropriateness of RFA and PRF for a total of 219 clinical scenarios.

RESULTS

For axial pain in the lumbosacral or cervical region, appropriateness of RFA was determined by the dominant pain trigger and location of tenderness on palpation with higher appropriateness scores if these variables were suggestive of the diagnosis of facet or sacroiliac joint pain. Although the opinions on the appropriateness of PRF for lumbosacral and cervical radicular pain were fairly dispersed, there was agreement that PRF is an appropriate option for well-selected patients with radicular pain due to herniated disc or foraminal stenosis, particularly in the absence of motor deficits. The panel outcomes were embedded in an educational e-health tool that also covers the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain, providing integrated recommendations on the appropriate use of (P)RF interventions for the treatment of chronic axial and radicular pain in the lumbosacral and cervical region.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary European expert panel established patient-specific recommendations that may support the (pre)selection of patients with chronic axial and radicular pain in the lumbosacral and cervical region for either RFA or PRF (accessible via https://rftool.org). Future studies should validate these recommendations by determining their predictive value for the outcomes of (P)RF interventions.

The effectiveness and predictive factors of Sacroiliac Joint Radiofrequency Neurotomy success - A retrospective cohort study

Background

The Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) accounts for 10-27% of lower back pain. Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is commonly utilized for refractory pain. Outcomes are variable and may be related to patient selection and procedural technique differences.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness and outcome success predictors of SIJ RFN at three months.

Design/Methods

Data of patients undergoing SIJ RFN were extracted from the electronic medical record of one physiatrist's interventional pain practice between 2016 and 2021. The extracted data included the following outcome variables: ≥2 decrease in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) [minimal clinically important difference MCID-2], ≥50% NRS reduction, and ≥17 points decrease in the Pain Disability and Quality of Life Questionnaire - Spine (PDQQ-S) [MCID]. Predictor variables included block type [>79% LBB/LBB, >79% IA/LBB, 50-79% LBB/LBB, 50-79% IA/LBB, >79% LBB, and 50-79% LBB] and cannula type/configuration [16 g/longitudinal, Trident bipolar/perpendicular, and 18 g quadripolar/perpendicular]. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression with an odds ratio (OR). Covariates included in the logistic regression models were age, gender, and laterality (right, left, and bilateral).

Results

Of the 128 patients analyzed for this study (20.8% males; 60.4 ± 14.4 years of age), 66.9% achieved MCID-2 in NRS, 53.9% experienced ≥50% NRS reduction, and 50% experienced ≥17 points decrease in PDQQ-S. Achieving MCID-2 in NRS for the 18 g quadripolar/perpendicular technique was approximately four times higher than the odds for 16 g/longitudinal technique (OR = 3.91; 95% CI = 1.34-11.43; p = 0.013). Block type was not significantly associated with any outcome variable after adjusting for cannula type and other covariates (p > 0.05). Younger age was significantly associated with achieving MCID-2 in NRS, ≥50% NRS reduction, and ≥17 points decrease in PDQQ (p = 0.034, 0.020, and 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

SIJ RFN effectively reduces pain and improves function in most patients at three months. Quadripolar/perpendicular technique and younger age predict SIJ RFN treatment success, whereas block type does not.

Navigation-Assisted Full-Endoscopic Radiofrequency Rhizotomy Versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment: Comparative Study

Objective: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common cause of chronic low back pain. Full-endoscopic rhizotomy of lateral branches of dorsal rami innervating SIJ is a potential option for patients’ refractory to medical treatment. The full-endoscopic rhizotomy is sometimes challenging under fluoroscopic guidance. This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the navigation-assisted full-endoscopic rhizotomy for SIJ pain.Methods: The study was a retrospective match-paired study that enrolled consecutive patients undergoing navigation-assisted full-endoscopic rhizotomy for SIJ pain. The patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and operative parameters of endoscopic rhizotomy were compared with conventional cooled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment.Results: The study enrolled 72 patients, including 36 patients in the endoscopic group. Thirty-six patients in the cooled RFA group were matched by age as the control. The follow-up time was at least 1 year. Patient characteristics were similar between the groups. The navigation-assisted endoscopic rhizotomy operation time was significantly longer than the cooled RFA. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) significantly decreased after each treatment. However, the between-group comparison revealed that the VAS and ODI of the patients after endoscopic rhizotomy were significantly lower than those after the cooled RFA group. There were no postoperative complications in the study.Conclusion: Navigation-assisted full-endoscopic rhizotomy is an alternative to SIJ pain treatment. Integrating intraoperative navigation can ensure accurate full-endoscopic rhizotomy to provide better durability of pain relief than the cooled RFA.

The Role of Hypertonic Saline in Ablative Radiofrequency of the Sacroiliac Joint: Observational Study of 40 Patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective uncontrolled article is to illustrate a technique of neurotomy of the sensitive branches of S1 S2 S3 in RFA that appears to result in a better success rate and longer-lasting pain relief.

METHODS

40 patients were treated, 26 females and 14 males, with an average age of 74 (92-55). After the examination, the patients underwent an ultrasound-guided diagnostic block of the affected sacroiliac joint. Only patients who presented pain relief greater than 60% after the diagnostic block were candidates for the RFA procedure. The procedure was always performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis. After obtaining the best fluoroscopic visualization of the joint to be treated, two RFA cannulae were placed starting from the lower medial margin parallel to the SIJ to perform a bipolar RFA along the entire medial margin of the SIJ. Lidocaine 2% and hypertonic saline 2 mEq/mL were used for each RFA level. Patients were followed-up at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months by evaluating the NRS and SF-12.

RESULTS

Patients reported extreme satisfaction with the procedure performed and reported a significant improvement in NRS and SF-12 at FU visits. No adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Bipolar RFA treatment of the sacroiliac joint with the use of a hypertonic saline solution appears to improve the success of the method and its durability. We are inclined to believe that the use of hypertonic saline may significantly increase the lesion area and result in a greater effect on the sensory branches.