Estudio comparativo entre la radiofrecuencia térmica o convencional y la radiofrecuencia pulsada en el tratamiento del dolor de origen en la artropatía facetaria lumbar / Comparative study of the thermal or conventional radiofrequency and pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of pain in the lumbar facet origin arthropathy

Objetivo: Comparar los efectos de la Radiofrecuencia Térmica (RFT) versus la Radiofrecuencia Pulsada (RFP) sobre la rama media del ramo dorsal del nervio raquídeo en el tratamiento del dolor en la artropatía facetaria lumbar. Diseño: Prospectivo, comparado, aleatorio y ciego. Material y métodos: Elegimos veinte pacientes de una muestra total de 60 pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico procedente de las articulaciones, sin mejoría después de un tratamiento conservador de más de tres meses. Los pacientes serían asignados de forma aleatoria: 30 RFT y 30 RFP. Resultados: Se evaluaron los resultados de 12 pacientes en el grupo de RFT y 8 en el grupo de radiofrecuencia pulsada. No se observó ninguna diferencia en las características demográficas entre los dos grupos. Tres pacientes abandonaron el estudio. En el grupo de RFT se observó una disminución estadísticamente significativa de la Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) en todos los puntos de seguimiento (p < 0,005). Ninguno de los dos grupos mostró mejoría en el índice de incapacidad (ODI). A pesar de no ser estadísticamente significativo, se observó una disminución mantenida de las cifras del ODI en el grupo de RFT. En el grupo de RFP no se observaron reducción en las cifras del EVA y ODI. Conclusiones: Consideramos a la RFT como adecuada y segura para el tratamiento del dolor de origen en las articulaciones facetarias lumbares, no así a la RFP (AU)

Objective: To compare the effects of Radiofrequency Thermal (RFT) versus Pulsed Radiofrequency (RFP) on the middle branch of the dorsal ramus of the spinal nerve in the treatment of pain in the lumbar facet arthropathy. Design: Prospective, comparative, randomized and blind. Material and methods: We, initially, chose twenty patients of a total sample of 60 patients with chronic low back pain originating from the facet joints without improvement after conservative treatment of more than three months. Patients were randomly assigned 30 RFT and RFP 30. Results: Results 12 RFT group and 8 were evaluated in the group of pulsed radiofrequency. No difference was observed in demographic characteristics between the two groups. Three patients dropped out. In the RFT group, a statistically significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at every point tracking (p < 0.005) was observed. Neither group showed improvement in disability index (ODI). Although not statistically significant, sustained decrease in ODI figures in the group of RFT was observed. In the group of RFP were not observed reduction in the numbers of VAS and ODI. Conclusions: The RFT as suitable and safe for the treatment of pain originating from the lumbar facet joints, not to the RFP (AU)

Medicina del dolor basada en la evidencia: lo bueno, lo malo, lo feo y lo peor / Evidence-based pain medicine: the good, the bad, the ugly and the worst

No disponible

No disponible

Upper extremity pain of 10 years duration caused by a glomus tumor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long-standing limb pain typically has a multifactorial etiology not amenable to causal therapy. We present a case of chronic progressing upper extremity pain caused by a glomus tumor; the excision was curative. METHODS: A 39-year-old woman presented with 10-year history of constant deep internal throbbing, aching pain localized to the radial aspect of the left index finger and additional intermittent shooting pains radiating up the arm toward the shoulder. Pain was increased after minor local trauma, following cold exposure, and for unknown reasons. A blotchy, bluish skin discoloration could appear on the radial aspect of the index finger during severe pain. Nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs, narcotics, amitriptyline, local heat, bracing, and a sympathetic nerve block had all been ineffective. The physical examination was characterized by exquisite pressure tenderness over the radial aspect of the left index finger, most pronounced just distal to the distal interphalengeal joint. RESULTS: Inflation of a left arm blood pressure cuff to above systolic pressures abolished pain. A glomus tumor was suspected and confirmed by histologic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms (1 to 5% of all hand tumors), developing from neuromyoarterial glomus bodies. They usually present with pain and may mimic other painful conditions, delaying the average time until diagnosis for up to 10 years. The classic diagnostic triad consists of local pain, pressure tenderness, and cold hypersensitivity. Abolition of pain following inflation of a blood pressure cuff to above systolic levels (ischemia test) is highly diagnostic. We suggest routine use of this test in cases of upper limb pain of unclear etiology.