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Percutaneous thermocoagulation intradiscal techniques for discogenic low back pain
Gerard Urrútia1, Francisco Kovacs, Maria Betina Nishishinya
1Centro Cochrane Iberoamericano, Servei d'Epidemiologia i Salut Pública, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. gurrutia@santpau.es
Percutaneous thermocoagulation intradiscal techniques like PIRFT and IDET show no proven efficacy for treating discogenic low back pain. The current evidence does not support their use for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Spinal Interventions
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- The intervertebral disc is a common source of low back pain (LBP).
- Percutaneous thermocoagulation intradiscal techniques, including PIRFT and IDET, are used to treat discogenic LBP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of percutaneous thermocoagulation intradiscal techniques for discogenic low back pain.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of nonrandomized controlled trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to 2005.
- Electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases.
- Methodological assessment of studies by three independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Six studies with 283 patients were included.
- Two nonrandomized trials suggested positive results for IDET.
- RCTs showed no significant differences between PIRFT and placebo, or between different PIRFT techniques. One RCT suggested minor differences for IDET in pain and disability, but the best quality RCT found no differences.
Conclusions:
- The available evidence does not support the efficacy or effectiveness of percutaneous thermocoagulation intradiscal techniques for treating discogenic low back pain.
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