Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the dorsal root ganglia for treatment of post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome: A case series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling syndrome where the patient presents with neuropathic pain, edema, or vasomotor or pseudomotor abnormalities that are often refractory to treatment. Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 may occurs in stroke patients. Radiofrequency is a therapeutic modality that has been used for years for diseases associated with neuropathic pain.

DESIGN: Case series report.

SETTING: Selcuk University Hospital.

PATIENTS: A 69-year-old woman and a 48-year-old women who suffered post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome type 1.

INTERVENTIONS: Pulsed radiofrequency current application to the cervical dorsal root ganglia.

MEASUREMENTS: Pain reduction.

MAIN RESULTS: The patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, which was maintained at 10 and 5 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: These cases illustrates that pulsed radiofrequency applied to cervical dorsal root ganglia might play a significant role in multi-modal approach of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 management after stroke. Further randomized, controlled studies are needed to support this argument.