Marco Pandolfi1,2, Federica Galli3, Anna Borelli4, Martina Gurgitano4, Alessandro Liguori4, Gianpaolo Carrafiello4,3. 1. Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy. marcopandolfi.mp@gmail.com. 2. Unità Operativa di Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Polo Ospedaliero San Paolo, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy. marcopandolfi.mp@gmail.com. 3. Unità Operativa di Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Polo Ospedaliero San Paolo, Università degli studi di Milano, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy. 4. Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To confirm the validity of coblation nucleoplasty in reduction of cervical discogenic nature. STUDY DESIGN: In a monocentric prospective clinical observational study recruiting 20 patients, treated with percutaneous coblation for cervical discogenic pain in 16 months in our hospital, we have clinically evaluated 18 patients. The pain was scored with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) in a pre-procedural questionary, 3/4 monthly follow-up from treatment and, finally, in a long-term follow-up 2 years after procedure. RESULTS: The mean pre-procedural VAS score was 7.9 ± 1.6 (95%-Confidence Interval 7.198-8.634), while the mean post-procedural score after 3-4 months has been 2.5 ± 3.1 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.089-3.965) and 2.5 ± 2.5 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.367-3.687) after 2 years. Among 18 patients, in the shortly post-treatment follow-up, nine had a complete pain relief, four had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, three did not have any variation of VAS; after 2 years, six patients had a total pain resolution, eight had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, two did not have any benefit. No peri- and post-procedural complication has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: In a spite of a little sample, our results showed coblation as a valid therapeutic option to reduce cervical discogenic pain in medicine-refractory patients, as an alternative or a previous choice before a more invasive surgical treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm the validity of coblation nucleoplasty in reduction of cervical discogenic nature. STUDY DESIGN: In a monocentric prospective clinical observational study recruiting 20 patients, treated with percutaneous coblation for cervical discogenic pain in 16 months in our hospital, we have clinically evaluated 18 patients. The pain was scored with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) in a pre-procedural questionary, 3/4 monthly follow-up from treatment and, finally, in a long-term follow-up 2 years after procedure. RESULTS: The mean pre-procedural VAS score was 7.9 ± 1.6 (95%-Confidence Interval 7.198-8.634), while the mean post-procedural score after 3-4 months has been 2.5 ± 3.1 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.089-3.965) and 2.5 ± 2.5 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.367-3.687) after 2 years. Among 18 patients, in the shortly post-treatment follow-up, nine had a complete pain relief, four had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, three did not have any variation of VAS; after 2 years, six patients had a total pain resolution, eight had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, two did not have any benefit. No peri- and post-procedural complication has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: In a spite of a little sample, our results showed coblation as a valid therapeutic option to reduce cervical discogenic pain in medicine-refractory patients, as an alternative or a previous choice before a more invasive surgical treatment.
Authors: Xu-sheng Qiu; Wei-wei Ma; Wei-guo Li; Bin Wang; Yang Yu; Ze-zhang Zhu; Bang-ping Qian; Feng Zhu; Xu Sun; Bobby K W Ng; Jack C Y Cheng; Yong Qiu Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2008-11-29 Impact factor: 3.134