Cutaneous Burn Following Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Report

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures are commonly utilized interventions for treating axial low back pain. While RFA is widely regarded as safe, it can lead to skin complications on rare occasions. We present a case of a patient who developed a rash in the days following an RFA.

A 61-year-old woman with hyperlipidemia, migraines, and vertigo presented to the pain clinic with 90% relief 2 days after receiving bilateral RFA to the L3-L5 medial branches, completed without intraoperative complications. She developed skin blistering and sloughing at the procedural sites, more pronounced on the right, without signs of infection. In 2024, she had received RFA to the L2-L5 area and developed no skin complications. At the pain clinic, she was treated with topical silver sulfadiazine, bacitracin, and meloxicam.

This case identifies a rare sequela to a generally safe procedure. We examined potential causes of burn damage that might have occurred during the procedure and seek similarities to other cases that have been presented.