Michael Gofeld, Kevin J Smith, Anuj Bhatia, Vladimir Djuric, Suzanne Leblang, Niv Rebhun, Ron Aginsky, Eric Miller, Brian Skoglind, Arik Hananel
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate safety and effectiveness of a fluoroscopy-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system for thermal ablation of the lumbar medial branch nerves. METHODS: This dual center prospective cohort study enrolled 30 participants with lumbar zygapophyseal joint syndrome. Each participant previously had a positive response to either a single diagnostic analgesic block or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The primary effectiveness outcome was individual responder rate, defined as a reduction of two points or more on the pain intensity numerical rating scale without an increase in opioid intake, or a reduction in opioid intake without an increase in pain at 6 months after the intervention...
April 5, 2024: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine