Usefulness of percutaneous basivertebral nerve thermorizotomy for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Vertebrogenic low back pain is a new concept added to the other pre-existing semiological and pathophysiological forms of pain in this region. It is produced by a lesion in the cartilaginous vertebral plate. As a result of this new concept, novel therapeutic strategies such as percutaneous thermorizotomy of the basivertebral nerve have emerged. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of vertebrogenic pain who were treated with percutaneous basivertebral nerve thermorizotomy (BVN). Pain response, functionality and quality of life will be analyzed. Methods: Under the parameters of the PRISMA methodology, a search was performed in the Pubmed and Embase databases with the terms “Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation”, “Basivertebral nerve AND Intracept”, “INTRACEPT”, “Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation AND Intracept”, “vertebrogenic low back pain”. After the search, the articles were initially reviewed independently by each of the authors, repeated articles were filtered out, obtaining 8 population-based studies. Considering the small number of studies, all those presenting a population analysis were included. Results: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was affected prior to the procedure in most of the patients who underwent percutaneous thermorizotomy of the BVN, with a baseline score of 45.37, which decreased at 3 months to 20.65, 18.6 at 6 months, 17.38 at 9 months, 18.62 at 12 months, 16 at 24 months and 17.05 at 5 years. As for the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the baseline score in the population treated with NBV thermorizotomy was 6.61, 3.56 at 3 months, 3.05 at 6 months, 2.6 at 9 months, 3.06 at 12 months, 2.5 at 24 months and 2.48 at 5 years. Obtaining similar results to the most recently published systematic review on the subject. Discussion: The new concept of vertebrogenic pain seems interesting. It is difficult to understand why cartilaginous vertebral plates had not previously been given pathophysiological importance. Being a new concept, it remains to be confirmed whether it is a different entity from discogenic pain, or on the contrary, both are one and the same. Likewise, the anatomical importance of BVN and consequently its treatment with radiofrequency to control low back pain has arisen. Preliminary studies confirm the existence of this form of pain and the good results, even in the long term, of treatment with the INTRACEPT device. Conclusions: Vertebrogenic low back pain is a new concept. It is the cause of pain in an important group of patients and is treatable by means of a percutaneous radiofrequency procedure. More studies are still needed to confirm its existence and its treatment.