Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.jocmr.org

Original Article

Volume 10, Number 6, June 2018, pages 508-515

Pulsed Radiofrequency as a Minimally Invasive Treatment Option in Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis of 26 Patients

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Ultrasound-guided placing of the PRF cannula at the tender point. Right side: the cannula (red arrow) positioned just between the anterior and posterior fascia of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Study flow chart. Other pain interventions included PRF therapy used at the level of the DRG, cryoneuroablation therapy, ultrasound guided trigger-point infiltrations or iontophoresis therapy.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Outcome after PRF treatment in patients with ACNES insufficiently responding to abdominal wall injections. Successful outcome is defined as > 50% reduction of pain during > 6 weeks; temporary successful outcome is defined as > 50% pain reduction for > 6 weeks before repeating the procedure; long-term follow-up (FU) is median 15 months (range 3 - 26).
Figure 4.
Figure 4. Kaplan-Meier plot. Time dependent success (> 50% pain reduction, Y-axis) of treatment is presented using the Kaplan-Meier method, illustrated as a survival curve.

Tables

Table 1. Characteristics of Patients Receiving PRF for ACNES
 
ACNES patients (n = 26)
Data are presented as means with standard deviation (± SD) or median values (range). BMI: body mass index.
Age (range)47 (18 - 67)
Gender, F/M ratio17:9
BMI, kg/m225.3 (17.5 - 48.4)
Diagnostic delay, months23 (2 - 216)
Etiology (n)
  Spontaneous15
  Sport/trauma1
  After flu/infection1
  Previous abdominal surgery9
Pain (NRS, 0 - 10)6.7 (1.2)
Abdominal pain location, n
  Right lower quadrant10
  Right upper quadrant6
  Left lower quadrant8
  Left upper quadrant2

 

Table 2. Subgroup Analysis Corticosteroids Versus No Corticosteroids
 
Corticosteroids (n = 13)No use of corticosteroids (n = 13)Mean difference (95% CI)P-value
Data are presented as means with standard deviation (± SD).
Pain pre treatment (NRS, 0 - 10)6.5 ± 1.36.9 ± 1.00.4 (-0.5 to 1.4)0.37
Pain post treatment (NRS, 0 - 10)3.6 ± 1.54.1 ± 2.90.5 (-1.4 to 2.3)0.61
Mean change2.8 ± 2.02.8 ± 2.20.0 (-1.7 to 1.7)0.96
Patient satisfaction (PGIC, 0 - 7)5.1 ± 1.34.7 ± 1.5-0.4 (-1.5 to 0.7)0.48