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Basivertebral Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Technical Report
Jimmy Wen1,2, Allyson Kouche3, Megan Kou3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA.
Pain Medicine Case Reports
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Basivertebral nerve radiofrequency ablation (BVNRFA) offers a new treatment for chronic vertebrogenic back pain (VBP) caused by vertebral osteomyelitis (VO). This minimally invasive procedure targets pain signals from damaged vertebral endplates, showing promise for patients with persistent pain.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) often leads to chronic vertebrogenic back pain (VBP) due to persistent inflammation and damage.
- Current treatments may not fully alleviate VBP, leaving a need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the novel application of basivertebral nerve radiofrequency ablation (BVNRFA) for managing VBP secondary to chronic vertebral osteomyelitis.
Main Methods:
- A case report detailing a 53-year-old male patient with recurrent L3-L4 osteomyelitis and severe axial lumbar pain.
- The patient underwent BVNRFA targeting nociceptive signaling from chronically diseased vertebral endplates.
- Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed chronic osteomyelitis without a drainable abscess.
Main Results:
- The BVNRFA procedure was successfully performed without complications.
- The patient experienced meaningful improvement in axial pain and functional mobility post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- This case demonstrates the potential of BVNRFA as a novel treatment for vertebrogenic back pain associated with chronic vertebral osteomyelitis.
- BVNRFA may provide a valuable option for patients with refractory pain due to vertebral infection sequelae.