Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment of Elderly Cervical Radiculopathy Patients

, Hyun Jun Choi; , Seong Rok Han; , Gi Taek Yee; , Chan Young Choi; , Moon Jun Sohn; , Chae Heuck Lee

Clinical Article

Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery 2012;8(2):163-167.
Published online December 30, 2012.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment of Elderly Cervical Radiculopathy Patients

Hyun Jun Choi , Seong Rok Han , Gi Taek Yee , Chan Young Choi , Moon Jun Sohn , Chae Heuck Lee

Department of Neurosurgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea

노인 경추부 신경근병증 환자들의 박동성 고주파 치료

최현준ㆍ한성록ㆍ이기택ㆍ최찬영ㆍ손문준ㆍ이채혁

인제대학교 의과대학 일산백병원 신경외과학교실

Abstract

Objective
The goal of this study was to establish the benefits and prognostic factors of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for elderly (>60 age) cervical radiculopathy patients.
Methods
A retrospective study of the results of PRF treatment of the cervical DRG in elderly 14 patients (15 lesions) with cervical radiculopathy was carried out. Diagnostic block of cervical DRG were performed before PRF. PRF was applied for 2 minutes at a setting of 2×20 ms/s and 45V by two times on the same targets. After treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) score was evaluated 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months and compared with pretreatment value. A successful outcome was defined that VAS score at 6 months was improved more than 50%.
Results
The mean age was 70.3 years. The success rate was 60% (9/15) after six months of follow-up. PRF induced complication were not observed. Between success and failure group, we do not find successful outcome prognostic factor.
Conclusions
The results demonstrate that PRF on elderly cervical radiculopathy patients is effective and safe treatment option. However, further studies, including more elderly patients and long-term follow-up, are needed.

Key Words: ElderlyㆍCervical radiculopathyㆍPulsed radiofrequencyㆍDorsal root ganglion