Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the dorsal root ganglia for treatment of post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome: A case series

Abstract Study objective Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling syndrome where the patient presents with neuropathic pain, edema, or vasomotor or pseudomotor abnormalities that are often refractory to treatment. Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 may occurs in stroke patients. Radiofrequency is a therapeutic modality that has been used for years for diseases associated with neuropathic pain. Design Case series report. Setting Selcuk University Hospital. Patients A 69-year-old woman and a 48-year-old women who suffered post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Interventions Pulsed radiofrequency current application to the cervical dorsal root ganglia. Measurements Pain reduction. Main results The patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, which was maintained at 10 and 5 months of follow-up. Conclusions These cases illustrates that pulsed radiofrequency applied to cervical dorsal root ganglia might play a significant role in multi-modal approach of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 management after stroke. Further randomized, controlled studies are needed to support this argument.