Bipolar Lumbar Radiofrequency Medial Branch Neurotomy in a Patient with Deep Brain Stimulation Implant

Abstract

Chronic axial lower back pain is one of the most common conditions that patients seek medical attention for in pain practices. About 15 to 40% of axial lower back pain is due to facet-mediated pain. Diagnostic blocks of the medial branch reliably identify the facet joint as the pain generator and offer a prognostic factor for response to radiofrequency neurotomy of the identified facet joints resulting in profound pain relief. However, deep brain stimulation implants have been considered a contraindication for neurotomy. We present an illustrative case of a patient with deep brain stimulation system treated with bipolar medial branch neurotomy using a two-needle technique.

Keywords

chronic neuropathic back and leg pain - spinal surgery - deep brain stimulation - thermal radiofrequency ablation

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee (Ethic committee of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms, University of Bonn) and with the 1964 declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Consent for Publication

All authors transfers to the journal the nonexclusive publication rights and he warrants that his contribution is original and that he has full power to make this grant. The author signs for and accepts responsibility for releasing this material on behalf of any and all coauthors. This transfer of publication rights covers the nonexclusive right to reproduce and distribute the article, including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online), or any other reproductions of similar nature.

Publication History

Received: 29 April 2021

Accepted: 15 September 2021

Article published online:
19 April 2022

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