Predicting Response to Interventional Pain Management Techniques in Chronic Low Back Pain in a Prospective Cohort.

"While in prone position, lumbar facet joints are identified by fluoroscopy. 18 gauge needles are then advanced aiming to the medial branch of lumbar facet joints. Correct positioning is confirmed by anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopy. Then, the needles are attached to the radiofrequency device. Correct positioning of the needles is confirmed also by sensitive stimulation (paresthesia evocation) with the following settings: 50 Hz (hertz), 1ms, 0,6V (volts). In order to avoid motor lesion, it is confirmed that no motor response is produced with 2Hz, 2ms (millisecond) and twice the voltage that produced sensitive response. After correct positioning and repositioning the needles if needed, conventional radiofrequency ablation of medial branch nerves is performed using the following settings: 90 seconds, 80º Celsius degrees.~The selection of target facet joints is made based on clinical findings. Some patients receive bilateral while other unilateral facet joint denervation."

"While in prone position, lumbar facet joints are identified by fluoroscopy. An anteroposterior image of the lumbar vertebrae is obtained. Then, the fluoroscope is tilted between 10 to 20 degrees to the side to inject. 22 gauge needles are then advanced aiming to the medial branch of lumbar facet joints.~The selection of target facet joints is made based on clinical findings. Some patients receive bilateral while other unilateral facet joint denervation. Correct positioning is confirmed with anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopy. A mixture of 3 ml of ropivacaine 0,2% + 1 ml (40 mg) of triamcinolone (trigon depot) is prepared. 1 ml of the mixture is injected in each lumbar facet joint through the needles. Four facet joints are selected for therapy. Some patients receive bilateral and other unilateral but contiguous medial branch nerve injection."

With the patient in prone position and guided by fluoroscopy, an epidural needle attached to a syringe filled with saline serum is advanced through the interlaminar approach using a loss of resistance technique for the identification of the lumbar epidural space. When loss of resistance is encountered, 1 ml of iodinated contrast is injected. After fluoroscopical confirmation of epidural spilling, a mixture of 4 ml of ropivacaine 0,1%, 2 ml (12 mg) of betamethasone and 2 ml of saline serum is injected in the epidural space. The lumbar level to which it infiltrates depends on each patient.

With the patient in prone position and guided by fluoroscopy, an epidural needle attached to a syringe filled with saline serum is advanced through the sacral hiatus using a loss of resistance technique for the identification of the epidural space. When loss of resistance is encountered, 2 ml of iodinated contrast is injected. After fluoroscopical confirmation of epidural spilling, a mixture of 7 ml of ropivacaine 0,2%, 2 ml (12 mg) of betamethasone and 7 ml of saline serum is injected in the epidural space.

With the patient in prone position and guided by fluoroscopy, a 18 gauge needle is advanced aiming to the intervertebral foramen. Patient is cautioned about the paresthesia which will be felt. A lateral view was taken occasionally to confirm position. 0.5 ml of iodinated contrast is injected to confirm the position of the needle. Then 1 ml of the combination of 12mg of betamethasone and 1ml of ropivacaine 0.2% is injected over the affected root. Then, the needle is attached to the radiofrequency device. Correct positioning of the needles is confirmed also by sensitive stimulation (paresthesia evocation) with the following settings: 50 Hz, 1ms, 0,6V. In order to avoid motor lesion, it is confirmed that no motor response is produced with 2Hz, 2ms and twice the voltage that produced sensitive response. After correct positioning is confirmed, pulsed radiofrequency ablation of lumbar dorsal root ganglion is performed using the following settings: 4 minutes, 42ºC (degrees Celsius).

With the patient in prone position and guided by fluoroscopy, a 22 french needle is then advanced aiming to the intervertebral foramen. Patient is cautioned about the paresthesia which will be felt along the course of the lumbar root when the needle touches the nerve. A lateral view was taken occasionally to confirm position. 0.5 ml of iodinated contrast is injected to confirm the position of the needle. Then 1 ml of the combination of 12mg of betamethasone and 1ml of ropivacaine 0.2% is injected over the affected root.