Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for cervical and thoracic spinal indications
HAYES, Inc
            Record ID 32017000063
            English
                                    
                Authors' objectives:
                Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a percutaneous treatment that uses radiowave-induced heat to create a lesion in a spinal sensory nerve. Following a prognostic blockade to target the affected nerve(s), radiofrequency (RF) current is applied in a pulsed or continuous manner for several minutes via a needle electrode to the targeted nerves under image guidance. The goal of RFA is to relieve pain and symptoms of cervical or thoracic spinal origin by interrupting pain signal transmission from the sensory nerve to the brain. Rationale: Percutaneous RFA of branches of the medial sensory nerves innervating the cervical or thoracic spine is thought to prevent transmission of pain signals to the brain. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and related symptoms in patients who are not responding adequately to conservative therapy. 
Controversy: The effects of RF neurotomy are not permanent, lasting from approximately 6 months to 1 year. RFA is thought to temporarily relieve pain by causing degeneration of axons within a target nerve or nerves. If pain recurs upon axonal regeneration, additional pain interventions may be required. 
Relevant Questions: Is percutaneous RFA of spinal nerves effective for alleviating pain and other symptoms
in patients with cervical or thoracic spinal indications? Is percutaneous RFA safe for patients with cervical or thoracic indications? How does RFA compare with sham RFA, local injections, pharmacotherapy, and other alternatives for relief of pain and symptoms related to cervical and thoracic spinal indications? Have definitive patient selection criteria been established for RFA of the spinal nerves for patients with cervical and thoracic spinal indications?
            
                                                            
            Details
                        
                Project Status:
                Completed
            
                                                            
                Year Published:
                2016
            
                                    
                URL for published report:
                The report may be purchased from:
http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=2162
            
                                                            
                English language abstract:
                An English language summary is available
            
                                    
                Publication Type:
                Not Assigned
            
                                    
                Country:
                United States
            
                                                
                        MeSH Terms
            - Humans
- Catheter Ablation
- Neck
Contact
                        
                Organisation Name:
                HAYES, Inc.
            
            
                        
                Contact Address:
                157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218
            
                                    
                Contact Name:
                saleinfo@hayesinc.com
            
                                    
                Contact Email:
                saleinfo@hayesinc.com
            
                                    
                Copyright:
                Winifred S. Hayes, Inc
            
                    
                This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.