Radiofrequency lesioning for pain treatment: a review

The primary goal of blockade techniques for pain management, is to achieve a good result with minimal interruption of nervous tissue and as few side-effects as possible. Blockade techniques include surgical, chemical and thermal methods. Surgical and chemical methods have several disadvantages. There are only a few indications left for cryolesioning because of the short duration of the effect and the thickness of the probe. The use of small cannulas and thermocouple temperature monitoring makes radiofrequency thermolesioning a more versatile method, by which many pain syndromes of malign and benign origin can be treated. In experienced hands, the placing of electrodes under fluoroscopic control, allows safe treatment, without causing unnecessary discomfort to the patient.