The Role of Radiocontrast Media in Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment of Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion

Although there are many reasons that can lead to low back pain, radicular pain, which is mostly secondary to lumbar disc hernia, is one of the most common pathologies. Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is an interventional treatment alternative in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain that does not respond to conservative methods and epidural injection treatments.

The electrical field created by the application of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) changes the cellular activity in DRG neurons. By polarizing cell membranes, reduces nociceptive transmission and contributes to analgesia. In lumbar dorsal root ganglion PRF applications, when the targeted point is reached, the position is confirmed by giving motor and sensory stimuli, and the PRF application is initiated in the follow-up. However, it is a problem that the DRG is not always in the same location, and therefore, time is often lost or even not found while searching with stimulation. Under intermittent fluoroscopic imaging, the location of the ganglion can be determined by administering contrast material.

We consider that determining the localization of the ganglion with this method during pulse radiofrequency application can shorten the procedure time. In this way, we believe that it would help the correct application of the procedure.