A History of the Development of Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Marc Russo, Danielle Santarelli, Robert Wright, Chris Gilligan, Marc Russo, Danielle Santarelli, Robert Wright, Chris Gilligan

Abstract

The technique of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy for facet joint pain has an intriguing history involving a diverse timeline of medical specialists. This paper aims to chart the pathway that led to its invention and the series of modifications and refinements that have led to modern practice. The story begins with the treatment of World War I soldiers by Nesfield, who used scalpels to cut "trapped" nerves. Inspired by Nesfield's treatment, Rees developed the "percutaneous rhizolysis" technique in 1960. Shealy was the first to use radiofrequency electrodes for denervation of the facet joints, introducing his technique in 1971. Several radiofrequency electrode developments came about from collaborations with Cosman medical device entrepreneurs during the 1970s, including the Shealy Rhizolysis Kit, the Ray Rhizotomy Electrode, and the Sluijter-Mehta Kit. Subsequent dissections of Rees' technique and modification of Shealy's procedure by Bogduk saw the development of "percutaneous lumbar medial branch neurotomy" in 1980 by Bogduk and Long. Bogduk continued to contribute significantly to validation, refinement and acceptance of the technique. In 1998, the technique of pulsed radiofrequency was invented by Sluijter, Cosman, Rittman and van Kleef. Subsequent innovations have consisted of cooled radiofrequency neurotomy, multi-tined cannulae, endoscopic systems, and alternative denervation targets, such as the facet joint capsule. As we pass the first 100 years of the story, we believe there are more chapters to be written on this fascinating subject.

Keywords: facet joint; history; low back pain; medial branch; neurotomy; radiofrequency.

Conflict of interest statement

MR provides unpaid consulting for Abbott, Boston Scientific, Mainstay Medical, Medtronic, Nevro, Presidio Medical, Saluda and Stimwave, conducts sponsored research activities for Boston Scientific, Mainstay Medical, Medtronic, Nevro, Presidio Medical and Saluda, and is a stockholder in Freedom Neuro, Lungpacer, Precise Light Surgical and SPR Therapeutics. RW provides consulting for Abbott and reports patents US10716618B2 and US10736688B2 issued to Stratus Medical, LLC. CG provides consulting for Abbott, Iliad Lifesciences, Medtronic and Saluda, conducts research activities for Mainstay Medical and Sollis Therapeutics, reports personal fees from Medtronic, Abbott, Eli Lilly, Saluda, Persica Pharmaceuticals, Iliad Lifesciences, and Expert Witness, and research support paid directly to their institution by Mainstay Medical, outside the submitted work. MR, RW and CG declare no other potential conflicts of interest for this work and declare no consulting, payments received, or other conflicts of interest with any of the companies whose technologies are mentioned in this manuscript. DS has no conflicts of interest for this work to declare.

© 2021 Russo et al.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Dr C. Norman Shealy. (B) Dr Charles Ray. (C) Dr Menno Sluijter. (D) Prof Eric R Cosman Sr.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prof Nikolai Bogduk.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Development of the Nimbus needle. (A) Dr Robert Wright, May 2009 – “day one” of Nimbus invention. (B) Wires soldered onto the tip of a standard 20G cannula. (C and D) Cloud-shaped lesions created by three 27G spinal needles pushed into a regular cannula (confirmation that the effect was not due to the extreme conductivity of copper).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The Richard Wolf Yeung Endoscopic Spine System (YESS) Rhizotomy Set, consisting of cannulae, endoscope, bi-tip probe for tissue cutting, and RF probe for tissue ablation.

References

    1. Bogduk N, Dreyfuss P, Govind J. A narrative review of lumbar medial branch neurotomy for the treatment of back pain. Pain Med. 2009;10(6):1035–1045. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00692.x
    1. van Eerd M, van Kleef M, Van Zundert J. 62 - Radiofrequency Treatment. In: Benzon HT, Rathmell JP, Wu CL, Turk DC, Argoff CE, Hurley RW, editors. Practical Management of Pain (Fifth Edition). Philadelphia: Mosby; 2014:846–865.e843.
    1. Bogduk N. Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with facet injections and radiofrequency neurotomy. Spine J. 2008;8(1):56–64. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2007.10.010
    1. Mixter WJ, Barr JS. Rupture of the Intervertebral Disc with Involvement of the Spinal Canal. N Eng J Med. 1934;211(5):210–215. doi:10.1056/NEJM193408022110506
    1. Nesfield, Vincent Blumhardt (1879–1972). The Royal College of Surgeons of England. Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows Web site; 2014. . Accessed 19 July, 2020.
    1. Robertson TB. Obituary Notices. Br Med J. 1972;1(5800):634–635. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.5800.634.
    1. Sandes JD. “Trench Back” Treated by Sodium Salicylate Ionization. Br Med J. 1915;2(2849):215–216. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.2849.215
    1. Stuckey R. Say Goodbye to Back Pain. Melbourne: Hill of Content Publishing Company; 1994.
    1. Ww G. Railway Spine And Litigation Symptoms. J Am Med Assoc. 1898;XXX(17):956–958. doi:10.1001/jama.1898.72440690016002a
    1. Nesfield V. Theories Of Glaucoma And Cataract. Australas J Optom. 1931;14(2):15–17. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.1931.tb00039.x
    1. Nesfield VB. A chemical method of sterilizing water without affecting its potability. Public Health. 1902;15:601–603. doi:10.1016/S0033-3506(02)80142-1
    1. Harley Street Doctor Struck Off Register. The Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912–1954) 28 May, 1932.
    1. Irvine D. General, Medical Council (Continued). Br Med J. 1932;1(3726):267–273.
    1. Rees, William Skyrme (1912–1994). The Royal College of Surgeons of England. Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows Web site; 2016. . Accessed 30 July, 2020.
    1. Russell WR. Discussion on the treatment of intractable pain. Proc R Soc Med. 1959;52:983–991.
    1. Hackett GS. Referred Pain from Low Back Ligament Disability. AMA Arch Surg. 1956;73(5):878–883. doi:10.1001/archsurg.1956.01280050146026
    1. Hackett GS. REFERRED PAIN AND SCIATICA IN DIAGNOSIS OF LOW BACK DISABILITY. J Am Med Assoc. 1957;163(3):183–185. doi:10.1001/jama.1957.82970380004007b
    1. Rees WS. A Dissertation on the Relief of Pain. 1990.
    1. Rees WES. Multiple bilateral subcutaneous rhizolysis of segmental nerves in the treatment of the intervertebral disc syndrome. Ann General Practice. 1971;16:126–127.
    1. Bogduk N. ‘Rhizolysis’ and low back pain. Med J Aust. 1977;1(14):504.
    1. Rees S. Letters. Spine. 1983;8(1):118–120. doi:10.1097/00007632-198301000-00022
    1. Gainor B. The forgotten nerve. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1978;78(October):108/144–109/145.
    1. Practical Regional Analgesia. Ja L, Bryce-Smith R, editors. Monographs in Anesthesiology. Vol. 5: Excerpta Medica; Amsterdam, Oxford, New York; 1976.
    1. Rees WS. Multiple bilateral percutaneous rhizolysis. Med J Aust. 1975;1(17):536–537. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1975.tb111567.x
    1. Bogduk N, Colman RR, Winer CE. An anatomical assessment of the “percutaneous rhizolysis” procedure. Med J Aust. 1977;1(12):397–399. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1977.tb130762.x
    1. Shealy CN. Miracles Do Happen: A Physician’s Experience with Alternative Medicine. Element; 1995.
    1. Shealy CN, Preito A, Burton C, Lond DM Radiofrequency percutaneous rhizotomy of the articular nerve of Luschka: an alternative approach to chronic low back pain and sciatica. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons: Los Angeles; 1973.
    1. Shealy CN. Facets in back and sciatic pain. A new approach to a major pain syndrome. Minn Med. 1974;57(3):199–203.
    1. Shealy CN. Percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of spinal facets. Treatment for chronic back pain and sciatica. J Neurosurg. 1975;43(4):448–451. doi:10.3171/jns.1975.43.4.0448
    1. Emeritus Professor Nikolai Bogduk/Staff Profile. The University of Newcastle Australia; 2020. . Accessed 30 January, 2021.
    1. Bogduk N. The lumbosacral dorsal rami of the cat. J Anat. 1976;122(Pt 3):653–662.
    1. Bogduk N. Proceedings: the lumbosacral dorsal rami of the monkey and dog. J Anat. 1974;118(Pt 2):393–394.
    1. Bogduk N, Long DM. The anatomy of the so-called “articular nerves” and their relationship to facet denervation in the treatment of low-back pain. J Neurosurg. 1979;51(2):172–177. doi:10.3171/jns.1979.51.2.0172
    1. Bogduk N, Wilson AS, Tynan W. The human lumbar dorsal rami. J Anat. 1982;134(Pt 2):383–397.
    1. Bogduk N. Lumbar dorsal ramus syndrome. Med J Aust. 1980;2(10):537–541. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1980.tb100759.x
    1. Bogduk N, Long DM. Percutaneous lumbar medial branch neurotomy: a modification of facet denervation. Spine. 1980;5(2):193–200. doi:10.1097/00007632-198003000-00015
    1. Bogduk N, Macintosh J, Marsland A. Technical limitations to the efficacy of radiofrequency neurotomy for spinal pain. Neurosurgery. 1987;20(4):529–535. doi:10.1227/00006123-198704000-00004
    1. Schwarzer AC, Derby R, Aprill CN, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. Pain from the lumbar zygapophysial joints: a test of two models. J Spinal Disord. 1994;7(4):331–336. doi:10.1097/00002517-199408000-00007
    1. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Derby R, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. Clinical features of patients with pain stemming from the lumbar zygapophysial joints. Is the lumbar facet syndrome a clinical entity? Spine. 1994;19(10):1132–1137. doi:10.1097/00007632-199405001-00006
    1. Distinguished Member Awards (Nikolai Bogduk). The Australian Pain Society; 2008.
    1. Cosman ER, Cosman ER. Radiofrequency Lesions. In: Lozano AM, Gildenberg PL, Tasker RR, editors. Textbook of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2009:1359–1382.
    1. Mehta M, Sluijter ME. The treatment of chronic back pain. A preliminary survey of the effect of radiofrequency denervation of the posterior vertebral joints. Anaesthesia. 1979;34(8):768–775. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.1979.tb06410.x
    1. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Bogduk N. Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy in the treatment of cervical zygapophysial joint pain: a caution. Neurosurgery. 1995;36(4):732–739. doi:10.1227/00006123-199504000-00014
    1. Lord SM, McDonald GJ, Bogduk N. Percutaneous Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Cervical Medial Branches: a Validated Treatment for Cervical Zygapophysial Joint Pain. Neurosurg Q. 1998;8(4):288–308. doi:10.1097/00013414-199812000-00004
    1. Sluijter M, Cosman E, Rittman W, Van Kleef M. The effect of pulsed radiofrequency fields applied to the dorsal root ganglion—A preliminary report. The Pain Clinic. 1998;11:109–117.
    1. Richebe P, Rathmell JP, Brennan TJ. Immediate early genes after pulsed radiofrequency treatment: neurobiology in need of clinical trials. Anesthesiology. 2005;102(1):1–3. doi:10.1097/00000542-200501000-00002
    1. Cosman ER. A comment on the history of the pulsed radiofrequency technique for pain therapy. Anesthesiology. 2005;103(6):1313–1314. doi:10.1097/00000542-200512000-00028
    1. Calkins H, Epstein A, Packer D, et al. Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease using cooled radiofrequency energy: results of a prospective multicenter study. Cooled RF Multi Center Investigators Group. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000;35(7):1905–1914. doi:10.1016/S0735-1097(00)00615-X
    1. Delacretaz E, Stevenson WG, Winters GL, et al. Ablation of ventricular tachycardia with a saline-cooled radiofrequency catheter: anatomic and histologic characteristics of the lesions in humans. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1999;10(6):860–865. doi:10.1111/j.1540-8167.1999.tb00267.x
    1. Hacker A, Vallo S, Weiss C, et al. Technical characterization of a new bipolar and multipolar radiofrequency device for minimally invasive treatment of renal tumours. BJU Int. 2006;97(4):822–828. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06038.x
    1. Lorentzen T. A cooled needle electrode for radiofrequency tissue ablation: thermodynamic aspects of improved performance compared with conventional needle design. Acad Radiol. 1996;3(7):556–563. doi:10.1016/S1076-6332(96)80219-4
    1. Goldberg SN, Gazelle GS, Solbiati L, Rittman WJ, Mueller PR. Radiofrequency tissue ablation: increased lesion diameter with a perfusion electrode. Acad Radiol. 1996;3(8):636–644. doi:10.1016/S1076-6332(96)80188-7
    1. Stelzer W, Aiglesberger M, Stelzer D, Stelzer V. Use of cooled radiofrequency lateral branch neurotomy for the treatment of sacroiliac joint-mediated low back pain: a large case series. Pain Med. 2013;14(1):29–35. doi:10.1111/pme.12014
    1. Patel N, Gross A, Brown L, Gekht G. A randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of lateral branch neurotomy for chronic sacroiliac joint pain. Pain Med. 2012;13(3):383–398. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2012.01328.x
    1. Malik K, Benzon HT, Walega D. Water-cooled radiofrequency: a neuroablative or a neuromodulatory modality with broader applications? Case Rep Anesthesiol. 2011;2011:263101. doi:10.1155/2011/263101
    1. Karaman H, Kavak GO, Tufek A, et al. Cooled radiofrequency application for treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. Acta Neurochir. 2011;153(7):1461–1468. doi:10.1007/s00701-011-1003-8
    1. Kapural L, Stojanovic M, Sessler DI, Bensitel T, Zovkic P. Cooled radiofrequency (RF) of L5 dorsal ramus for RF denervation of the sacroiliac joint: technical report. Pain Med. 2010;11(1):53–57. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00772.x
    1. Kapural L, Nageeb F, Kapural M, Cata JP, Narouze S, Mekhail N. Cooled radiofrequency system for the treatment of chronic pain from sacroiliitis: the first case-series. Pain Pract. 2008;8(5):348–354. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2008.00231.x
    1. McCormick ZL, Walker J, Marshall B, McCarthy R, Walega DR, Novel A. Modality for Facet Joint Denervation: cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Lumbar Facet Syndrome. A Case Series. Phys Med Rehabil Int. 2014;1(5):5.
    1. Ball RD. The science of conventional and water-cooled monopolar lumbar radiofrequency rhizotomy: an electrical engineering point of view. Pain Physician. 2014;17(2):E175–211. doi:10.36076/ppj.2014/17/E175
    1. Wright R, Wolfson J, DiMuro J, Peragine J, Bainbridge S In vivo temperature measurement during neurotomy for sacroiliac joint pain using the Baylis SInergy Probe. Paper presented at: Proceedings of the ISIS 15th Annual Meeting; 2007.
    1. Wright RE, Brandt SA an ex vivo study on radiofrequency tissue ablation using a novel multitined expandable electrode. International Spine Invervention Society: 19th Annual Scientific Meeting; 2011.
    1. Wright RE, Brandt SA Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomy Using a Novel Multitined Expandable Electrode, Case Report with EMG of the Segmental Multifidus at One Month. European Society of Regional Anaesthesia (ESRA): 30th Annual Congress; 2011.
    1. Wright R, Allan K, Kraft M, Holley B. Radiofrequency Ablation Using a Novel Multitined Expandable electrode: device Description and Research Study. Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pain. 2012;2:41–54.
    1. Bainbridge JS, Wright RE, Pappas CD, Light S, McQueen RB Technical Efficacy of a Direction Specific Radiofrequency Device in the Performance of Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomies – an MRI and EMG Confirmation Study (Interim Analysis). International Spine Intervention Society: 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting; 2015.
    1. Burnham R Comparison of Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy Using a Conventional Monopolar versus Multitined Electrode. International Spine Intervention Society: 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting; 2015.
    1. Wright RE, Allan KJ, Bainbridge JS In and Ex Vivo Validation of a Novel Technique for Radiofrequency Denervation of the Dorsal Sacroiliac Joint Including a Case Study. European Society of Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Therapy (ESRA): 32nd Annual Congress; 2013.
    1. Cosman ER Jr, Dolensky JR, Hoffman RA. Factors that affect radiofrequency heat lesion size. Pain Med. 2014;15(12):2020–2036. doi:10.1111/pme.12566
    1. Yeung A, Gore S. Endoscopically guided foraminal and dorsal rhizotomy for chronic axial back pain based on cadaver and endoscopically visualized anatomic study. Int J Spine Surg. 2014;1;8.
    1. Leon JF, Ortiz JG, Fonseca EO, Martinez CR, Cuellar GO. Radiofrequency Neurolysis for Lumbar Pain Using a Variation of the Original Technique. Pain Physician. 2016;19(3):155–161. doi:10.36076/ppj/2019.19.155
    1. Iwatsuki K, Yoshimine T, Awazu K. Alternative denervation using laser irradiation in lumbar facet syndrome. Lasers Surg Med. 2007;39(3):225–229. doi:10.1002/lsm.20459
    1. Russo Ma, Santarelli DM. Development and Description of a New Multifidus-Sparing Radiofrequency Neurotomy Technique for Facet Joint Pain. Pain Pract. 2021;21(7):747–758. doi:10.1111/papr.13010
    1. Palea O, Andar HM, Lugo R, Granville M, Jacobson RE. Direct Posterior Bipolar Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Rhizotomy: a Simpler and Safer Approach to Denervate the Facet Capsule. Cureus. 2018;10(3):e2322. doi:10.7759/cureus.2322
    1. Moussa WM, Khedr W. Percutaneous radiofrequency facet capsule denervation as an alternative target in lumbar facet syndrome. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2016;150:96–104. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2016.09.004
    1. Jacobson RE, Palea O, Granville M. Bipolar Radiofrequency Facet Ablation of the Lumbar Facet Capsule: an Adjunct to Conventional Radiofrequency Ablation for Pain Management. Cureus. 2017;9(9):e1635. doi:10.7759/cureus.1635
    1. Principles and Descriptions of Special Techniques. Raj PP, Erdine Seditors. Pain‐Relieving Procedures: The Illustrated Guide. 68–91. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2012.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors et collaborateurs

Les conditions médicales

Interventions en matière de drogue

3
S'abonner