Radiofrequency ablation of stellate ganglion in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome

Sympathetic Modulation in Cardiac Arrhythmias: Where We Stand and Where We Go

The nuance of autonomic cardiac control has been studied for more than 400 years, yet little is understood. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding, clinical implications, and ongoing studies of cardiac sympathetic modulation and its anti-ventricular arrhythmias' therapeutic potential. Molecular-level studies and clinical studies were reviewed to elucidate the gaps in knowledge and the possible future directions for these strategies to be translated into the clinical setting. Imbalanced sympathoexcitation and parasympathetic withdrawal destabilize cardiac electrophysiology and confer the development of ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, the current strategy for rebalancing the autonomic system includes attenuating sympathoexcitation and increasing vagal tone. Multilevel targets of the cardiac neuraxis exist, and some have emerged as promising antiarrhythmic strategies. These interventions include pharmacological blockade, permanent cardiac sympathetic denervation, temporal cardiac sympathetic denervation, etc. The gold standard approach, however, has not been known. Although neuromodulatory strategies have been shown to be highly effective in several acute animal studies with very promising results, the individual and interspecies variation between human autonomic systems limits the progress in this young field. There is, however, still much room to refine the current neuromodulation therapy to meet the unmet need for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

Pulsed Radiofrequency of Stellate Ganglion for Neuropathic Pain Associated with Recurrent Pleural Leiomyosarcoma - A Case Report

Pleural leiomyosarcomas are rare soft-tissue sarcomas. Neuropathic pain associated with such tumours can be quite debilitating. We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with chronic neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacologic interventions in association with recurrent pleural leiomyosarcoma. Pulsed radio-frequency of the stellate ganglion was performed after due consideration and planning as a palliative measure to provide pain relief. The patient was discharged the same day with pain score 0/10 and followed up for 3 years. The unique features of this case report are: (1) Different approach of the treatment modality and (2) longer follow-up.

Pulsed radiofrequency of superior cervical ganglion for treatment of painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN): A case series report

Objective: Painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) is a clinical pain syndrome that occurs due to injuries to the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve and is characterized by a deep burning pain and accompanied by positive and negative neurological signs. In patients with recalcitrant PTTN, the sympathetic nervous system is a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic response of PTTN patients to pulsed radiofrequency treatment (PRF) of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG).Methods: Thirty-five patients with PTTN who had a history of severe disabling facial neuropathic pain underwent PRF of the SCG under a new lateral fluoroscopic approach.Results: The patients' pain intensity post-PRF was 3.94 (± 3.11), compared with 8.82 (± 1.27) pre-PRF (p < .001).Conclusion: PRF of the SCG could be an effective method to treat chronic PTTN.

Initial Evaluation of a Novel Modulated Radiofrequency-based Bladder Denervation Device

OBJECTIVE

To determine if targeted and modulated radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the urinary bladder using our novel ablation device (Denerblate) reduces bladder nerve density, potentially leading to a novel strategy for the management of overactive bladder.

METHODS

Fifteen pigs were divided into 4 groups: control (n = 3), 1-week (n = 4), 4-week (n = 4) and 12-week (n = 4) survival times. Denerblate was deployed on the trigone area of the bladder. Three 240-second cycles of modulated RFA were applied with 30 seconds between cycles. At the end of each survival term, urinary bladders were harvested for histopathologic evaluation. Nerve count and density were manually calculated.

RESULTS

All procedures were successfully completed, and all animals survived to the desired time points. Mean nerve density (nerves/mm²) was highest in the control and 1-week survival group compared to the 4-week and 12-week groups, both of which demonstrated significant diminishment. Nerve density in the bladder neck at control, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks were 1.8, 1.35, 0.87, and 0.12, respectively (P <.001). Nerve density in the bladder trigone area at control, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks were 1.5, 0.98, 0.65, and 0.112, respectively (P <.001). Epithelial heat injury was observed in 14.3% at 1 week, 10.7% at 4 weeks, but completely resolved by 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

In the porcine model, modulated RFA delivered by our novel device reduced nerve density in the bladder neck and trigone by 88.6% and 88.9% at 12 weeks without evidence of lasting epithelial injury.

Ultrasonography-guided pulsed radiofrequency of sciatic nerve for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome Type II

Although the major mechanism of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involves dysfunctional central or sympathetic nervous system activation, the peripheral nervous system also contributes significantly to its clinical manifestations. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a recently developed treatment option for neuropathic pain syndromes. Here, we report a case of CRPS Type II after a femur fracture and sciatic nerve injury, in which the pain was treated successfully with ultrasonography-guided selective sciatic nerve PRF application.