Coccygodynia treated by pulsed radio frequency treatment to the Ganglion of Impar: A case series

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gopal, Hari^{; *} | Mc Crory, Connail

Affiliations: Department of Pain Medicine, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Hari Gopal, Department of Pain Medicine, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland. Tel.: +353 87 2181697; Fax: +353 1 4284069; E-mail: doc_harigopal@yahoo.com

Abstract: Background:Chronic coccygodynia accounts for 1% of all back pain referrals and very difficult to treat with an enormous functional deficit. Objective:The purpose of this case series was to examine the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency treatment to the Ganglion of Impar in chronic coccygodynia patients unresponsive to comprehensive medical management. Methods:Coccygodynia is defined as pain in and around the coccyx [1,2]. This retrospective review of twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of coccygodynia and failed medical management treated with pulsed radio frequency applied to the Ganglion of Impar between January 2009 to December 2011 was carried out. A successful outcome was defined as > 50% improvement in pain on the visual analogue scale at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results:The application of pulsed radio frequency to the Ganglion of Impar was successful in fifteen (75%) patients and their mean pre treatment visual analogue scale score of 6.53 was reduced to 0.93 at 6 and 12 months follow up. In five (25%) patients the treatment was not successful and there was no difference between mean pre and post treatment visual analogue scale scores. Conclusion:We conclude that pulsed radio frequency treatment of the Ganglion of Impar should be considered when coccygodynia has proven resistant to medical management.

Keywords: Pulsed radio frequency, coccygodynia, Ganglion of Impar

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140454

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 349-354, 2014