Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency ablation of stellate ganglion in upper-extremity phantom limb pain: a case series.

BACKGROUND

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.

CASE

Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.