Pulsed Radiofrequency on Thoracic Dorsal Root
Ganglion Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve
for Chronic Postmastectomy Pain, A Randomized
Trial: 6-Month Results
Authors: Hetta Diab Fuad 
Published: March 2021

Background: Pharmacologic treatment is not successful in all cases of postmastectomy pain
syndrome (PMPS). Some patients continue suffering pain while taking their medications, and others
cannot tolerate the side effects of antineuropathic analgesics. Radiofrequency technology has provided
promising results in the management of chronic neuropathic pain.
Objectives: Considering that affection of intercostobrachial nerves are the main reason behind
PMPS, we aimed to evaluate and compare the analgesic efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) when
delivered either on thoracic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of intercostobrachial nerves (thoracic DRG 2,
3, and 4) or their corresponding thoracic paravertebral nerves (PVNs).
Study Design: Prospective randomized-controlled clinical trial.
Settings: Interventional pain unit, tertiary center, university hospital.
Methods: Sixty-four patients complaining of PMPS were randomized to either group DRG (n = 32)
that received PRF on thoracic DRG, or group PVN (n = 32) that received PRF on thoracic PVN. The
outcome variables were that the patients showed > 50% reduction in their visual analog scale (VAS)
pain score; the VAS pain score and global perceived effect (GPE) was evaluated during a 6-month
follow-up period.
Results: The percentage of patients who showed > 50% reduction of their VAS pain score was
significantly higher in group DRG compared with group PVN, assessed at 4 and 6 months postprocedure
(23/29:79.3% vs. 13/29:44.8%; P = 0.007) and (22/29:75.9% vs. 7/29:24.1%; P < 0.001), respectively,
however, the 2 groups did not significantly differ at 1, 2, and 3 months postprocedure (DRG vs. PVN),
(21/29: 72.4% vs. 21/29: 72.4%; P = 0.542), (24/29: 82.8% vs. 23/29: 79.9%; P = 0.778), and (24/29:
82.8% vs. 19/29: 65.5%; P = 0.136), respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction of VAS
pain score at 4 and 6 months (DRG vs. PVN, mean ± standard deviation, 2.9 ± 2 vs. 3.9 ± 1.5; mean
difference (95% confidence interval), 1 (0.06:1.9); P = 0.038; 3 ± 1.94 vs. 5.1 ± 1.5; mean difference (95%
confidence interval), 1.9 (1:2.9); P < 0.001, respectively), however, the 2 groups did not significantly differ
at 1, 2, and 3 months postprocedure. With regard to the patient’s satisfaction (i.e., GPE), assessed at 3 and
6 months postprocedure, there was a significantly higher satisfaction in group DRG compared with group
PVN (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 6 (5:7) vs. 3 (2:4);P < 0.001), however, the patient’s satisfaction was
similar between groups at 3 months postprocedure: median (IQR), 6 (4:7) vs. 6 (5:6); P = 0.327.
Limitations: The study follow-up period is limited to 6 months only.
Conclusions: PRF of both the thoracic DRG and the thoracic PVN are effective treatments for PMPS;
however, PRF of DRG provided a better long-term analgesic effect. Nevertheless, given the inherent
risk of performing thoracic foraminal interventions and the technical difficulty of targeting thoracic
DRG, we recommend that PRF of DRG should be reserved for cases that failed to gain adequate
response to PRF of thoracic PVN in conjunction with medical treatment.
Key words: Postmastectomy pain syndrome, radiofrequency, dorsal root ganglion, paravertebral nerve