Preliminary data on artificial intelligence tool in magnetic resonance imaging assessment of degenerative pathologies of lumbar spine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of degenerative pathologies of lumbar spine using radiologist evaluation as a gold standard. METHODS: Patients with degenerative pathologies of lumbar spine, evaluated with MRI study, were enrolled in a retrospective study approved by local ethical committee. A comprehensive software solution (CoLumbo; SmartSoft Ltd., Varna, Bulgaria) designed to label the segments of the lumbar spine and to detect a broad spectrum of degenerative pathologies based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) was employed, utilizing an automatic segmentation. The AI tool efficacy was compared to data obtained by a senior neuroradiologist that employed a semiquantitative score. Chi-square test was used to assess the differences among groups, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated between the grading assigned by radiologist and the grading obtained by software. Moreover, agreement was assessed between the value assigned by radiologist and software. RESULTS: Ninety patients (58 men; 32 women) affected with degenerative pathologies of lumbar spine and aged from 60 to 81 years (mean 66 years) were analyzed. Significant correlations were observed between grading assigned by radiologist and the grading obtained by software for each localization. However, only when the localization was L2-L3, there was a good correlation with a coefficient value of 0.72. The best agreements were obtained in case of L1-L2 and L2-L3 localizations and were, respectively, of 81.1% and 72.2%. The lowest agreement of 51.1% was detected in case of L4-L5 locations. With regard canal stenosis and compression, the highest agreement was obtained for identification of in L5-S1 localization. CONCLUSIONS: AI solution represents an efficacy and useful toll degenerative pathologies of lumbar spine to improve radiologist workflow.

A pharmacoeconomic analysis from Italian guidelines for the management of prolactinomas.

Background: Prolactinoma, the most common pituitary adenoma, is usually treated with dopamine agonist (DA) therapy like cabergoline. Surgery is second-line therapy, and radiotherapy is used if surgical treatment fails or in relapsing macroprolactinoma. Objective: This study aimed to provide economic evidence for the management of prolactinoma in Italy, using a cost-of-illness and cost-utility analysis that considered various treatment options, including cabergoline, bromocriptine, temozolomide, radiation therapy, and surgical strategies. Methods: The researchers conducted a systematic literature review for each research question on scientific databases and surveyed a panel of experts for each therapeutic procedure's specific drivers that contributed to its total cost. Results: The average cost of the first year of treatment was €2,558.91 and €3,287.40 for subjects with microprolactinoma and macroprolactinoma, respectively. Follow-up costs from the second to the fifth year after initial treatment were €798.13 and €1,084.59 per year in both groups. Cabergoline had an adequate cost-utility profile, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €3,201.15 compared to bromocriptine, based on a willingness-to-pay of €40,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in the reference economy. Endoscopic surgery was more cost-effective than cabergoline, with an ICER of €44,846.64. Considering a willingness-to-pay of €40,000/QALY, the baseline findings show cabergoline to have high cost utility and endoscopic surgery just a tad above that. Conclusions: Due to the favorable cost-utility profile and safety of surgical treatment, pituitary surgery should be considered more frequently as the initial therapeutic approach. This management choice could lead to better outcomes and an appropriate allocation of healthcare resources.

Artificial intelligence applied in acute ischemic stroke: from child to elderly.

This review will summarize artificial intelligence developments in acute ischemic stroke in recent years and forecasts for the future. Stroke is a major healthcare concern due to its effects on the patient's quality of life and its dependence on the timing of the identification as well as the treatment. In recent years, attention increased on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to help categorize, prognosis, and to channel these patients toward the right therapeutic procedure. Machine learning (ML) and in particular deep learning (DL) systems using convoluted neural networks (CNN) are becoming increasingly popular. Various studies over the years evaluated the use of these methods of analysis and prediction in the assessment of stroke patients, and at the same time, several applications and software have been developed to support the neuroradiologists and the stroke team to improve patient outcomes.

Giant Tumefactive Perivascular Space: Advanced Fusion MR Imaging and Tractography Study-A Case Report and a Systematic Review.

Perivascular spaces (PVSs) are small extensions of the subpial cerebrospinal space, pial-lined and interstitial fluid-filled. They surround small penetrating arteries, and veins, crossing the subarachnoid space to the brain tissue. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) shows a PVS as a round-shape or linear structure, isointense to the cerebrospinal fluid, and, if larger than 1.5 cm, they are known as giant/tumefactive PVSs (GTPVS) that may compress neighboring parenchymal/liquoral compartment. We report a rare asymptomatic case of GTPVS type 1 in a diabetic middle-aged patient, occasionally discovered. Our MRI study focuses on diffusion/tractography and fusion imaging: three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and time of fly (TOF) sequences. The advanced and fusion MR techniques help us to track brain fiber to assess brain tissue compression consequences and some PVS anatomic features as the perforating arteries inside them.

Italian Guidelines for the Management of Prolactinomas.

INTRODUCTION: This guideline (GL) is aimed at providing a reference for the management of prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary adenoma in adults. However, pregnancy is not considered. METHODS: This GL has been developed following the methods described in the Manual of the Italian National Guideline System. For each question, the panel appointed by Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME) has identified potentially relevant outcomes, which have then been rated for their impact on therapeutic choices. Only outcomes classified as "critical" and "important" have been considered in the systematic review of evidence and only those classified as "critical" have been considered in the formulation of recommendations. RESULTS: The present GL provides recommendations regarding the role of pharmacological and neurosurgical treatment in the management of prolactinomas. We recommend cabergoline (Cab) vs. bromocriptine (Br) as the firstchoice pharmacological treatment to be employed at the minimal effective dose capable of achieving the regression of the clinical picture. We suggest that medication and surgery are offered as suitable alternative first-line treatments to patients with non-invasive PRL-secreting adenoma, regardless of size. We suggest Br as an alternative drug in patients who are intolerant to Cab and are not candidates for surgery. We recommend pituitary tumor resection in patients 1) without any significant neuro-ophthalmologic improvement within two weeks from the start of Cab, 2) who are resistant or do not tolerate Cab or other dopamine-agonist drugs (DA), 3) who escape from previous efficacy of DA, and 4) who are unwilling to undergo a chronic DA treatment. We recommend that patients with progressive disease notwithstanding previous tumor resection and ongoing DA should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with specific expertise in pituitary diseases using a multimodal approach that includes repeated surgery, radiotherapy, DA, and possibly, the use of temozolomide. CONCLUSION: The present GL is directed to endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, and gynecologists working in hospitals, in territorial services or private practice, and to general practitioners and patients.

Vasari Scoring System in Discerning between Different Degrees of Glioma and IDH Status Prediction: A Possible Machine Learning Application?

(1) The aim of our study is to evaluate the capacity of the Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) scoring system in discerning between the different degrees of glioma and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) status predictions, with a possible application in machine learning. (2) A retrospective study was conducted on 126 patients with gliomas (M/F = 75/51; mean age: 55.30), from which we obtained their histological grade and molecular status. Each patient was analyzed with all 25 features of VASARI, blinded by two residents and three neuroradiologists. The interobserver agreement was assessed. A statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the distribution of the observations using a box plot and a bar plot. We then performed univariate and multivariate logistic regressions and a Wald test. We also calculated the odds ratios and confidence intervals for each variable and the evaluation matrices with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in order to identify cut-off values that are predictive of a diagnosis. Finally, we did the Pearson correlation test to see if the variables grade and IDH were correlated. (3) An excellent ICC estimate was obtained. For the grade and IDH status prediction, there were statistically significant results by evaluation of the degree of post-contrast impregnation (F4) and the percentage of impregnated area (F5), not impregnated area (F6), and necrotic (F7) tissue. These models showed good performances according to the area under the curve (AUC) values (>70%). (4) Specific MRI features can be used to predict the grade and IDH status of gliomas, with important prognostic implications. The standardization and improvement of these data (aim: AUC > 80%) can be used for programming machine learning software.

Utility of virtual stenting in treatment of cerebral aneurysms by flow diverter devices.

Successful endovascular treatment by stenting of intracranial aneurysms requires proper placement of the device and appropriate choice of its diameter and length. To date, several methods have been employed to achieve these goals, although each has inherent critical issues. Recently developed stent planning software applications can be used to assist interventional neuroradiologists. Based on a 3D-DSA image acquired before stenting, these applications simulate and visualize the final placement of the deployed stent. In this single-centre retrospective study, 27 patients undergoing an intravascular procedure for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms from June 2019 to July 2020 were evaluated according to strict inclusion criteria. Stent virtualization was performed with Syngo 3D Aneurysm Guidance Neuro software. We compared the software-generated stent measurement and measurements taken by the interventional radiologist. Statistical analysis was performed using the STAC web platform. Mean and standard deviations of absolute and relative discrepancies between predicted and implanted stents were recorded. Friedman's nonparametric test was used to refute the null hypotheses, i.e. (I) discrepancies between the size of virtual and implanted stents would occur, and (II) operator influence does not affect the outcome of the virtual stenting process. Based on these observations, it is believed that the virtual stenting process can validly assist interventional neuroradiologists in selecting the appropriate device and reducing peri- and post-procedural complications. The results of our study suggest that virtual reality simulation of devices used for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is a useful, rapid, and accurate tool for interventional procedure planning.

Neoplasms and tumor-like lesions of the sellar region: imaging findings with correlation to pathology and 2021 WHO classification.

The sellar region represents a complex anatomical area, composed of multiple structures of different embryological derivation, including the skull base and the pituitary gland, along with vascular, nervous, and meningeal structures. Masses arising in this region include benign and malignant lesions arising from the pituitary gland itself, but also from vestigial embryological residues or surrounding tissues, that may require different therapeutic approaches. While assessing sellar region masses, the combination of clinical presentation and imaging features is fundamental to define hypotheses about their nature. MR represents the imaging modality of choice, providing information about the site of the lesion, its imaging features, and relation with adjacent structures, while CT is useful to confirm the presence of lesion calcifications or to reveal tumor invasion of bony structures. The aim of this pictorial review is to provide an overview of the common neoplasms and tumor-like conditions of the sellar region, according to the 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (fifth edition), with an emphasis on the radiologic-pathologic correlation. After a brief introduction on the anatomy of this region and the imaging and pathological techniques currently used, the most relevant MRI characteristics, clinical findings, and pathological data, including histologic and molecular features, will be shown and discussed, with the aim of facilitating an appropriate differential diagnosis among these entities.

Efficacy of recanalization therapy for ischemic stroke: multicenter hospital network experience.

PURPOSE: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability with high mortality rate in the first year after the event. In Campania, mechanical thrombectomy treatment significantly increases in the last 3 years, as well as hospitals delivering acute stroke treatments. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how a full opening of our stroke network improves stroke management and stroked patients' survival in Campania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In Federico II University Hospital of Naples acting as a HUB center of 7 peripheral SPOKE hospitals in regional territory, 68 patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated with NIHSS and m-RS clinical scores and neuroradiological ASPECT scores, from January 1 to December 31, 2021. At hospital discharge, NIHSS score and three months after m-RS score were re-assessed to evaluate the therapeutic effects. RESULTS: Forty-two of 68 patients (63%) admitted to our hub center had ischemic acute stroke at CT evaluation; 29 patients had ASPECT score > 7 (69%), and 6 a score < 7 (14%). At admission, NIHSS score mean value was 10.75, and m-RS score mean value was 0.74. At discharge, NIHSS score mean value was 7.09. After three months, m-RS score mean value was 0.74. DISCUSSION: The inter-company agreement between Federico II University and several peripheral hospitals allows an absolute and relative increase in endovascular mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolysis procedures, with a relative prevalence of mechanical thrombectomy. A regional implementation of the stroke multi-disciplinary care system is hardly needed to ensure the optimum treatment for the largest number of patients, improving patient's outcome.

Clinical correlates of R1 relaxometry and magnetic susceptibility changes in multiple sclerosis: a multi-parameter quantitative MRI study of brain iron and myelin.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical impact of brain microstructural abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains elusive. We aimed to characterize the topography of longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) and quantitative susceptibility (χ) changes, as indices of iron and myelin, together with brain atrophy, and to clarify their contribution to cognitive and motor disability in MS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, voxel-based morphometry, and voxel-based quantification analyses of R1 and χ maps were conducted in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of 117 MS patients and 53 healthy controls. Voxel-wise between-group differences were assessed with nonparametric permutation tests, while correlations between MRI metrics and clinical variables (global disability, cognitive and motor performance) were assessed both globally and voxel-wise within clusters emerging from the between-group comparisons. RESULTS: MS patients showed widespread R1 decrease associated with more limited modifications of χ, with atrophy mainly involving deep GM, posterior and infratentorial regions (p < 0.02). While R1 and χ showed a parallel reduction in several WM tracts (p < 0.001), reduced GM R1 values (p < 0.001) were associated with decreased thalamic χ (p < 0.001) and small clusters of increased χ in the caudate nucleus and prefrontal cortex (p < 0.02). In addition to the atrophy, χ values in the cingulum and corona radiata correlated with global disability and motor performance, while focal demyelination correlated with cognitive performance (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the presence of widespread R1 changes, involving both GM and WM, and atrophy in MS, with less extensive modifications of tissue χ. While atrophy and χ changes are related to global and motor disability, R1 changes are meaningful correlates of cognition. KEY POINTS: • Compared to healthy controls, multiple sclerosis patients showed R1 and χ changes suggestive of iron increase within the basal ganglia and reduced iron and myelin content within (subnuclei of) the thalamus. • Thalamic volume and χ changes significantly predicted clinical disability, as well as pulvinar R1 and χ changes, independently from atrophy. • Atrophy-independent R1 and χ changes, suggestive of thalamic iron and myelin depletion, may represent a sensitive marker of subclinical inflammation.

Extra-Neural Metastases of Late Recurrent Myxopapillary Ependymoma to Left Lumbar Paravertebral Muscles: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Ependymomas are commonly classified as low-grade tumors, although they may harbor a malignant behavior characterized by distant neural dissemination and spinal drop metastasis. Extra-CNS ependymoma metastases are extremely rare and only few cases have been reported in the lung, lymph nodes, pleura, mediastinum, liver, bone, and diaphragmatic, abdominal, and pelvic muscles. A review of the literature yielded 14 other case reports metastasizing outside the central nervous system, but to our knowledge, no studies describe metastasis in the paravertebral muscles. Herein, we report the case of a 39-year-old patient with a paraspinal muscles metastasis from a myxopapillary ependymoma. The neoplasm was surgically excised and histologically and molecularly analyzed. Both the analyses were consistent with the diagnosis of muscle metastases of myxopapillary ependymoma. The here-presented case report is first case in the literature of a paraspinal muscles metastasis of myxopapillary ependymoma.

The Fate of Fat Graft in Extended Endoscopic Transtuberculum-Transplanum Approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term fate of autologous fat graft in skull base reconstruction after an extended endoscopic transtuberculum-transplanum approach. METHODS: Data from 98 consecutive patients undergoing a transtuberculum-transplanum approach and skull base reconstruction using the 3F technique between June 2017 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Fat graft volume was measured on postoperative day 1 computed tomography scan and early (≤15 days), 3-month, and 1-year magnetic resonance imaging scans. Fat graft volumes and resorption rate were calculated in patients with a complete radiological follow-up and correlated to demographic, pathological, and surgical features. RESULTS: Fat volumes and resorption rate were calculated in 55 patients. Mean volume of fat on postoperative day 1 computed tomography scan was 3.58 ± 1.89 cm3 and on early, 3-month, and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans was 2.45 ± 1.57 cm3, 1.40 ± 0.76 cm3, and 0.92 ± 0.56 cm3, respectively. Resorption rate was 44% after 3 months and 67% after 1 year. Resorption rate did not significantly correlate with demographic, pathological, and surgical features. Cerebrospinal fluid leak requiring redo surgery occurred in 1 patient (1/98, 1.2%). There were 6 cases of visual worsening (6/98, 6.1%); no cases correlated to fat overpacking. No delayed complications at the donor site or at the grafting site were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fat graft in skull base reconstruction is observed to shrink significantly over time, reaching 67% in 1 year. Its use is associated with excellent outcomes, making it a favored material for skull base reconstruction.

The Diagnostic Performance of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) in Depiction of Acute Spondylodiscitis in an Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of acute spondylodiscitis can be very difficult because clinical onset symptoms are highly variable. The reference examination is MRI, but very often the first diagnostic investigation performed is CT, given its high availability in the acute setting. CT allows rapid evaluation of other alternative diagnoses (e.g., fractures), but scarce literature is available to evaluate the accuracy of CT, and in particular of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), in the diagnosis of suspected spondylodiscitis. The aim of our study was to establish MDCT accuracy and how this diagnostic method could help doctors in the depiction of acute spondylodiscitis in an emergency situation by comparing the diagnostic performance of MDCT with MRI, which is the gold standard. METHODS: We searched our radiological archive for all MRI examinations of patients who had been studied for a suspicion of acute spondylodiscitis in the period between January 2017 and January 2021 (n = 162). We included only patients who had undergone MDCT examination prior to MRI examination (n = 25). The overall diagnostic value of MDCT was estimated, using MRI as the gold standard. In particular, the aim of our study was to clarify the effectiveness of CT in radiological cases that require immediate intervention (stage of complications). Therefore, the radiologist, faced with a negative CT finding, can suggest an elective (not urgent) MRI with relative serenity and without therapeutic delays. RESULTS: MDCT allowed identification of the presence of acute spondylodiscitis in 13 of 25 patients. Specificity and positive predictive value were 100% for MDCT, while sensitivity and negative predictive value were 68% and 50%, respectively, achieving an overall accuracy of 76%. In addition, MDCT allowed the identification of paravertebral abscesses (92%), fairly pathognomonic lesions of spondylodiscitis pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The MDCT allows identification of the presence of acute spondylodiscitis in the Emergency Department (ED) with a satisfactory accuracy. In the case of a positive CT examination, this allows therapy to be started immediately and reduces complications. However, we suggest performing an elective MRI examination in negative cases in which pathological findings are hard to diagnose with CT alone.

COVID-19 and low back pain: previous infections lengthen recovery time after intradiscal ozone therapy in patients with herniated lumbar disc.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous intradiscal ozone therapy in patients affected by lumbar disc herniation, with and without history of COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the rising of COVID-19 pandemics in Italy, 47 consecutive percutaneous intradiscal ozone therapies were performed on patients with low back pain and/or sciatic pain due to lumbar disc herniation. Among these, 19 had suffered from COVID-19 and successively recovered with no residual symptoms, while the remaining 28 had not previously been affected by COVID-19 and were not convalescent. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was administered before the treatment and at 1-month and 3-month follow-up in order to assess the clinical outcome. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of patient age (p-value 0.54), treated levels (p-value 0.26) and pre-procedure ODI (p-value 0.33). Technical success was achieved in all cases. In patients previously affected by COVID-19, mean ODI decrease was 11.58 ± 9.51 (35.72%) at 1-month follow-up and 20.63 ± 9.87 (63.63%) at 3-month follow-up. In patients never affected by COVID-19, mean ODI decrease was 20.93 ± 10.53 (58.73%) at 1-month follow-up and 22.07 ± 11.36 (61.92%) at 3-month follow-up. Eventually, clinical success was registered in 84.21% (16/19) of patients with history of COVID-19 infection and in 85.71% (24/28) of patients with no history of COVID-19 infection. No major complication was registered. CONCLUSIONS: In case of lumbar disc herniation treated with percutaneous intradiscal ozone therapy, patients previously affected by COVID-19 showed a significantly longer recovery time.

Dissective tandem stroke: an endovascular approach.

Ischemic stroke due to internal carotid artery occlusion is a potential devastating condition. More frequently the occlusions are embolic in nature, but sometimes they are caused by arterial dissection and their treatment is a challenge. We describe an illustrative case where a young patient with middle cerebral artery stroke caused by carotid artery dissection was submitted to endovascular treatment of mechanical thrombectomy and stenting, giving an excellent outcome. We believe that tandem approach is a treatment of choice in these cases.

Basilar Artery Occlusion (BAO) revascularization after more than 12 hours from the onset of symptoms with excellent outcome: Report of a case.

This paper reports a case of basilar artery occlusion (BAO), a relatively rare event associated with high mortality rate and high risk of disability. A 77-year-old man arrived at our Stroke Unit approximately 14 hours after the onset of symptoms (dysarthria and complete left hemiparesis) with progressive worsening up to coma and with a National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 22. The patient was treated and, at discharge, the modified Rankin scale and NIHSS were 2 and 5, respectively. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how revascularization treatment, also after 12 hours, could be a viable option to ensure survival and a good life quality for the patient. Furthermore, it is essential to encourage the publication of a greater number of trials about the posterior circulation emphasizing how many favorable prognosis indicators are now recognized.

Intracranial Hemorrhage from Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: What Can We Find with CT Angiography?

(1) Background: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) represent a rare acquired intracranial vascular malformation, with a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, which make their diagnosis difficult. Intracranial hemorrhage is one of the most serious clinical manifestations. In this paper the authors' goal was to verify the accuracy and utility of contrast-enhanced brain CT angiography (CTA) for the identification and the characterization of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in patients who presented with brain hemorrhage compared to 3D digital subtraction angiography (3D DSA); (2) a retrospective study of 26 patients with DAVFs who presented with intracranial hemorrhage to our institution was performed. The information reviewed included clinical presentation, location and size of hemorrhage, brain CTA and 3D DSA findings; (3) results: 61% (16/26) of DAVFs were identified by CTA. The vast majority of patients were male (69%, 18/26) and the most common presenting symptom was sudden onset headache. All DAVFs had cortical venous drainage and about one-third were associated with a venous varix. The most common location was tentorial (73%, 19/26); (4) conclusions: CTA can represent a valid alternative diagnostic method to 3D DSA for the study of DAVF in the initial and preliminary diagnostic approach, especially in emergency situations. In fact, it represents a fast, inexpensive, non-invasive and above all, easily accessible and available diagnostic technique, unlike DSA or MRI, allowing to provide information necessary for the identification, classification and treatment planning of DAVFs.

Chronic intractable lumbosacral radicular pain, is there a remedy? Pulsed radiofrequency treatment and volumetric modifications of the lumbar dorsal root ganglia.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of clinical and radiological effects of the therapeutic outcome of CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment adjacent to the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for patients with chronic intractable lumbosacral radicular pain in a single-center prospective longitudinal study in order to evaluate predictive factors of safety and therapeutic success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients, from 2016 to 2018, were enrolled (age: 42-80 aa, 66.7% men and 33.3% females) with low back pain, lumbosciatalgia and/or lumbocruralgia, resistant to previous medical and physical treatments for a period not < 3 months, failure of surgical and chemiodiscolysis with ozone oxygen therapy. Each patient was subjected to a clinical evaluation (antalgic walking, sensitive deficit, interviews with specific questionnaires: ODI, RDQ,VAS) and to a radiological evaluation with MRI examination, before and 30 days after the CT-guided PRF treatment. Measurements of the thickness of the involved and not involved DRG were taken using common postprocessing software of MRI examinations in order to have measurement parameters for comparison. We analyzed the clinical course using the paired samples T test in order to evaluate modification for each clinical and radiological parameter (statistical significance p < 0.05). RESULTS: Significant improvements of the clinical outcomes with a good resolution of the pain symptoms (VAS evaluation: The score fell from 68.47 to 39.17 with a difference of 29.3 and a reduction of the 42.79% in the perceived pain, p = 0.00000152). The thickness of DRG falls from an average media of 0.586-0.448 cm (p = 0.000085), with a difference of 0.138 cm and a percentage reduction of 22.30%. CONCLUSIONS: PRF treatment of the DRG may be considered for patients with chronic severe lumbosacral radicular pain refractory to conventional medical management when other noninvasive or surgical procedures fail. It is minimally invasive, inexpensive and simple to perform with no complications.