Radiofrequency denervation and cryoablation of the lumbar zygapophysial joints in the treatment of positive lumbar facet joint syndrome – a report of three cases

Ladislav Kočan, MD, PhD; Róbert Rapčan, MD, PhD; Rudolf Sudzina, MD, PhD; Simona Rapčanová, MD; Dušan Rybár, MD; Juraj Mláka, MD; Hana Kočanová, MD; Miroslav Buriánek, MD; Janka Vašková, PhD

Radiology Case Reports (Dec 2022)

Radiofrequency denervation and cryoablation of the lumbar zygapophysial joints in the treatment of positive lumbar facet joint syndrome – a report of three cases

Ladislav Kočan, MD, PhD,
Róbert Rapčan, MD, PhD,
Rudolf Sudzina, MD, PhD,
Simona Rapčanová, MD,
Dušan Rybár, MD,
Juraj Mláka, MD,
Hana Kočanová, MD,
Miroslav Buriánek, MD,
Janka Vašková, PhD

Affiliations

Ladislav Kočan, MD, PhD: Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Ondavská 8, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic; EuroPainClinics, Poliklinika Terasa, Toryská 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
Róbert Rapčan, MD, PhD: EuroPainClinics, Na hradbách 94/3, 085 01 Bardejov, Slovak Republic
Rudolf Sudzina, MD, PhD: Neurological Clinic, East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Ondavská 8, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
Simona Rapčanová, MD: EuroPainClinics, Na hradbách 94/3, 085 01 Bardejov, Slovak Republic
Dušan Rybár, MD: Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Ondavská 8, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
Juraj Mláka, MD: EuroPainClinics, Poliklinika Terasa, Toryská 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovak Republic
Hana Kočanová, MD: Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Railway Hospital and Clinic Košice, Slovak Republic
Miroslav Buriánek, MD: EuroPainClinics, Starochodovská 1750/91, 149 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
Janka Vašková, PhD: Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Tr. SNP 1, 040 11, Košice, Slovak Republic; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 12
pp. 4515 – 4520

Abstract

Read online

Radiofrequency denervation of the zygapophysial (facet) joints is a frequently performed procedure for chronic low back pain. However, cryoablation represents a novel therapeutic approach for this condition. We observed and analyzed 3 cases with confirmed positive lumbar facet joint syndrome. Our results show a significant improvement in the clinical state of the patients in the first and third months after the procedure. The 6-month follow-up examination demonstrates a recurrence of pain and a gradual deterioration in the quality of life with a lasting partial pain-relief effect. Thermal radiofrequency denervation and cryoablation of the lumbar zygapophysial joints represent an effective, albeit temporary treatment option for lumbar facet joint syndrome patients, resulting from the pathophysiology of sensory nerve regeneration after destructive procedures. This type of treatment can be used repeatedly in the case of a positive response.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords