Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve

Halena M Gazelka, Sarah Knievel, William D Mauck, Susan M Moeschler, Matthew J Pingree, Richard H Rho, Tim J Lamer Division of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of neuropathic pain occurring after radiofrequency neurotom...

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Main Authors: Gazelka HM, Knievel S, Mauck WD, Moeschler SM, Pingree MJ, Rho RH, Lamer TJ
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2014-04-01
Series:Journal of Pain Research
Online Access:http://www.dovepress.com/incidence-of-neuropathic-pain-after-radiofrequency-denervation-of-the--a16429
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author Gazelka HM
Knievel S
Mauck WD
Moeschler SM
Pingree MJ
Rho RH
Lamer TJ
author_facet Gazelka HM
Knievel S
Mauck WD
Moeschler SM
Pingree MJ
Rho RH
Lamer TJ
author_sort Gazelka HM
collection DOAJ
description Halena M Gazelka, Sarah Knievel, William D Mauck, Susan M Moeschler, Matthew J Pingree, Richard H Rho, Tim J Lamer Division of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of neuropathic pain occurring after radiofrequency neurotomy of the third occipital nerve (TON). This study was conducted at a teaching hospital from January 1, 2008, to March 31, 2010. With institutional review board approval, Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the nerves supplying the C2-3 facet joint and the TON. The C3 dorsal ramus provides innervation to the C2-3 facet joint and the suboccipital cutaneous region, and procedures that included ablation to this region were reviewed for complications. Postprocedural data were collected by reviewing follow-up appointment notes and telephone calls. Included were patients who had new neuropathic pain in the distribution of the TON after RFA. They described what they were feeling as burning, tingling, or numbness. All patients who presented with complaints had normal neurologic findings and no secondary cause for their symptoms. The included patient medical records were then reviewed for severity and duration of symptoms and the need for treatment with pain medication. Sixty-four patients underwent C2-3 RFA or TON RFA, and 12 patients were identified as experiencing ablation-induced third occipital neuralgia, an incidence rate of 19%. This finding suggests that patients undergoing RFA of the nerves supplying the C2-3 joint or TON are at risk for postprocedural third occipital neuralgia. This possibility may affect providing informed consent as well as anticipating and managing postprocedural pain. Keywords: cervical spine, neuralgia, neurotomy, ablation
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spelling doaj.art-b8987cf7dbea4bd2bcb5bc24176edb5f2022-12-21T23:37:33ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Pain Research1178-70902014-04-012014default19519816429Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerveGazelka HMKnievel SMauck WDMoeschler SMPingree MJRho RHLamer TJHalena M Gazelka, Sarah Knievel, William D Mauck, Susan M Moeschler, Matthew J Pingree, Richard H Rho, Tim J Lamer Division of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of neuropathic pain occurring after radiofrequency neurotomy of the third occipital nerve (TON). This study was conducted at a teaching hospital from January 1, 2008, to March 31, 2010. With institutional review board approval, Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the nerves supplying the C2-3 facet joint and the TON. The C3 dorsal ramus provides innervation to the C2-3 facet joint and the suboccipital cutaneous region, and procedures that included ablation to this region were reviewed for complications. Postprocedural data were collected by reviewing follow-up appointment notes and telephone calls. Included were patients who had new neuropathic pain in the distribution of the TON after RFA. They described what they were feeling as burning, tingling, or numbness. All patients who presented with complaints had normal neurologic findings and no secondary cause for their symptoms. The included patient medical records were then reviewed for severity and duration of symptoms and the need for treatment with pain medication. Sixty-four patients underwent C2-3 RFA or TON RFA, and 12 patients were identified as experiencing ablation-induced third occipital neuralgia, an incidence rate of 19%. This finding suggests that patients undergoing RFA of the nerves supplying the C2-3 joint or TON are at risk for postprocedural third occipital neuralgia. This possibility may affect providing informed consent as well as anticipating and managing postprocedural pain. Keywords: cervical spine, neuralgia, neurotomy, ablationhttp://www.dovepress.com/incidence-of-neuropathic-pain-after-radiofrequency-denervation-of-the--a16429
spellingShingle Gazelka HM
Knievel S
Mauck WD
Moeschler SM
Pingree MJ
Rho RH
Lamer TJ
Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
Journal of Pain Research
title Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
title_full Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
title_fullStr Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
title_full_unstemmed Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
title_short Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
title_sort incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve
url http://www.dovepress.com/incidence-of-neuropathic-pain-after-radiofrequency-denervation-of-the--a16429
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