Radiofrequency for Chronic Post-mastectomy Pain: is it Better to Target Intercostal Nerves or Corresponding Dorsal Root Ganglia?

The procedure will be done under propofol sedation, under fluoroscopic guidance. The image intensifier will be rotated in a cephalo-caudal direction until the endplates of the thoracic vertebrae are aligned and the transverse processes became discernable from the ribs. For the intercostal nerve group, the radiofrequency needle 10 cm with 10 ml active tip will then inserted to contact the lower edge of the transverse process of (T2-T5), the needle is walked off to obtain sensory stimulation between 0.3-0.6 mv and motor stimulation less than 1.2 mv .five cycle of pulsed radiofrequency will be delivered.

The procedure will be done under propofol sedation, under fluoroscopic guidance.for dorsal root ganglion group, radiofrequency needle 10 cm with 10 ml active tip will inserted in a slightly medial-cephalad direction under the transverse processes, and using lateral fluoroscopic imaging, incrementally walked into the thoracic intervertebral foramen. Once correct needle position is confirmed, test stimulation will be performed at 50 Hz, during which time the needles will slightly redirected to optimize stimulation, the point of maximum stimulation will be designated to be the location of the dorsal root ganglion. five cycle of pulsed radiofrequency will be delivered.