ABSTRACT
The use of radiofrequency (RF) lesions in the treatment of chronic pain has a long history. It has been presumed that the mode of action of the technique is due to the heating effect caused by the current. However, as Sluijter et al. (1) have recently pointed out, after heat lesioning of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the pain relief may outlast the perceived sensory loss, indicating that there may be other analgesic effects of the technique. Slappendel (2) reported that for the treatment of benign cervicobrachialgia, they could not distinguish between a 67°C lesion and a 40°C heat lesion. Furthermore, Sluijter et al. (1) also reported in two small studies that pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) provided better and longer-lasting analgesia than either a low-temperature continuous radiofrequency or a simple local anesthetic and steroid block.
