RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Intercostal Neuralgia
JF Ochsner Journal
JO Ochsner J
FD O. P. Jindal Global University
SP 159
OP 163
DO 10.31486/toj.22.0087
VO 23
IS 2
A1 Fiala, Kenneth J.
A1 Martens, Joshua M.
A1 Keith, Mitchell K.
A1 Ghouse, Adam
A1 Abd-Elsayed, Alaa
YR 2023
UL http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/23/2/159.abstract
AB Background: Intercostal neuralgia is pain associated with the intercostal nerves along the rib, chest, and upper abdominal wall. Intercostal neuralgia has various etiologies, and current conventional treatment options include intercostal nerve blocks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, topical medications, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. For a subset of patients, these conventional treatment options provide little relief. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an emerging procedure for the treatment of chronic pain and neuralgias. Cooled RFA (CRFA) is a specific type of RFA that has been trialed as a treatment for intercostal neuralgia in patients refractory to conventional treatment modalities. This case series assesses the efficacy of CRFA for the treatment of intercostal neuralgia in 6 patients.Case Series: Three female and 3 male patients underwent CRFA of the intercostal nerves to treat intercostal neuralgia. The patients had an average age of 50.7 years and demonstrated an average pain reduction of 81.3%.Conclusion: This case series suggests that CRFA may be an effective treatment option for patients with intercostal neuralgia that is not responsive to conservative treatment options. To determine the duration of pain improvement, large research studies need to be conducted.