Preprocedure Visual Analog Scale Research Articles

A Comparison of Conventional and Pulsed Radiofrequency Denervation in the Treatment of Chronic Facet Joint Pain

The goal of this study was to compare the effects of conventional radiofrequency (CRF) and pulsed RF (PRF) denervation to medial branches of dorsal rami in the treatment of facet joint pain. The patients greater than 17-year old, with continuous low back pain with or without radiating pain with focal tenderness over the facet joints, pain on hyperextension, absence of neurologic defect, unresponsiveness to conservative treatment, no radicular syndrome, and no indication for low back surgery were included in the study. Local anesthetic was applied in the control group (n=20), whereas 80 degrees C CRF were applied in the CRF (n=20) and 2 Hz PRF were applied in the PRF group (n=20). Pain relief was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at preprocedure, at procedure, at 6 months and 1 year after the procedure. Reduction in analgesic usage, patients' satisfaction, and complications were assessed. Mean preprocedural VAS and ODI scores were higher than postprocedural scores in all groups. Both VAS and ODI scores of PRF and CRF groups were lower than the score of the control group at the postprocedural evaluation. Although decrease the pain score was maintained in the CRF group at 6 months and 1-year period, this decrease discontinued in the PRF group at the follow-up periods. The number of patients not using analgesics and patient satisfaction were highest in CRF group. PRF and CRF are effective and safe alternatives in the treatment of facet joint pain but PRF is not as long lasting as CRF.

Prospective Clinical Follow-up after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Patients with Painful Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

To prospectively assess short-term, midterm, and long-term pain relief in patients with painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain at the treated vertebral level, analgesic use, and satisfaction with outcome were assessed in 112 patients after PV of 168 VCFs. Serial follow-up was performed at 24 hours and 3, 6, and 12 months and in a small number of patients at 1-3 years. Procedure-related complications were evaluated by physical examination and computed tomography of treated levels. After PV, VAS scores for pain at the individual vertebral levels treated and use of analgesic agents were significantly reduced compared with before treatment at every follow-up period. Within 24 hours after the procedure, the decreases in all scores were less compared with scores at later follow-up periods, but this was not significant. The preprocedural mean VAS score was 8.8 (range, 5-10). At follow-up, mean VAS scores ranged from 2.5 to 3.3 (range, 0-10). In the short term after PV, patients used significantly less analgesic drugs and 86% of patients were satisfied with the outcome. At midterm and long-term follow-up, patients used even less analgesic drugs and 95%-100% of patients were satisfied with the outcome of PV. Procedure-related complications with clinical consequences occurred in three patients (2.7%): one patient experienced a cardiovascular reaction, one patient had a pedicle chip fracture, and one had a rib fracture. PV of painful osteoporotic VCFs provides significant pain reduction in nearly all treated patients.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Relationship between Vertebral Body Bone Marrow Edema Pattern on MR Images and Initial Clinical Response

To prospectively investigate the relationship between initial clinical response and bone marrow edema pattern on preprocedural magnetic resonance (MR) images in vertebral bodies selected for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. PVP was performed for osteoporotic compression fractures in 80 consecutive patients (mean age, 72.4 years; range, 44-85 years; 67 women and 14 men; 157 vertebrae). Patients were divided into three groups according to the proportion of the vertebra in which the bone marrow edema pattern was observed on sagittal MR images: group 1, 50% or more of the vertebra; group 2, less than 50%; group 3, no edema pattern observed. By using Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher exact test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test, groups were examined for differences in treatment efficacy, which was defined as the difference between preprocedural and postprocedural pain as assessed by means of visual analog scale (VAS) score at 1-3 days after PVP. Forty-four patients were assigned to group 1, 14 to group 2, and 22 to group 3. No significant difference was seen between the groups with respect to age, sex, number of treated vertebrae, or preprocedural VAS score. In group 1, VAS score decreased from 7.5 before the procedure to 2.9 after (improvement of 4.6). In group 2, the score decreased from 6.8 to 3.1 (improvement of 3.7). In group 3, the score decreased from 7.0 to 4.3 (improvement of 2.7). Improvement was significantly greater in group 1 than in group 3 (P < .005). PVP resulted in significantly greater clinical improvement in patients with an extensive bone marrow edema pattern than in those without this pattern. (c) RSNA, 2006.

Percutaneous Disc Decompression Using Nucleoplasty

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Nucleoplasty for decompression of contained herniated discs, in a prospective, single site study that evaluated 49 consecutive patients with complaints of back with or without leg pain secondary to a contained focal protrusion. Access to the disc was obtained via the posterolateral discography approach, with a 17-gauge introducer needle inserted through the annulus and into the nucleus. The introducer remained in place within the outer annulus during the entire procedure, providing access for the SpineWand into the nucleus. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. One month, three month, six-month and twelve month outcomes were assessed by the treating physician and support staff. Success was defined as a minimum 2-point reduction on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, absence of narcotic use, and return to work if not working secondary to back pain. The pre-procedure and post-procedure VAS differences were 4.28 (p<0.001), 4.66 (p<0.001), 4.75 (p<0.001), and 3.3 (p=0.002) at the one month, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month intervals respectively. Overall, there was a 79% success rate, with 67% success in the group of patients that had previous surgery and 82% success in the group that had no prior surgical intervention. Results indicate that Nucleoplasty may be a promising and efficacious minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of symptoms associated with contained herniated discs. Randomized, controlled studies with subgroup analysis are required to further delineate the role for this procedure.

Selective nerve root injections can predict surgical outcome for lumbar and cervical radiculopathy: a retrospective review with comparison to magnetic resonance imaging

Selective nerve root injections can predict surgical outcome for lumbar and cervical radiculopathy: a retrospective review with comparison to magnetic resonance imaging

Effect of local anesthetics on patient recovery after transrectal biopsy

Objectives. To determine the analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics injected lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy, during and immediately after the procedure, because pain is a common side effect of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Methods. Patients were randomized to receive 5 mL of either 1% lidocaine or sterile normal saline injected (under ultrasound guidance) lateral to the seminal vesicles bilaterally before performance of the prostate biopsies, with the patient and physician unaware of the treatment group. Five minutes after the injection, a series of 12 prostate biopsies were performed. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at rest and with activity was obtained before the biopsy (preprocedure VAS) and immediately (intraprocedure VAS) and 30 minutes (postprocedure VAS) after the biopsy. Surveys examining the patients’ expectations for biopsy pain were administered before and immediately after the biopsy. Results. No significant differences were found between the groups with regard to demographic data, VAS pain scores at rest and with activity, and survey results. Conclusions. Injection of lidocaine lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy did not diminish biopsy-associated pain.