Pulsed Radiofrequency of Dorsal Root Ganglia for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in an Adolescent with Poliomyelitis Sequel: A Case Report

Objective: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful and disabling syndrome in which the patient presents with neuropathic pain, edema, or vasomotor or pseudomotor abnormalities that are often refractory to treatment. Polio paralysis is caused by the damage or destruction of motor neurons in the spine, which lead to corresponding muscle paralysis. This report is a case report on the application of a pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) current to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) for the treatment of CRPS type 1 in an adolescent patient. Design: Single case report. Setting: Selcuk University Hospital. Patient: A 16-year-old girl who suffered from CRPS type 1 secondary to surgeries for the sequelae of poliomyelitis. Interventions: PRF current application to the lumbar 4 and lumbar 5 DRG. Outcome Measures: Pain reduction. Results: The patient had complete resolution of her symptoms, which was maintained at a 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: This case illustrates that PRF applied to lumbar 4 and lumbar 5 DRG may play a significant role in CRPS type 1 management after the surgical treatment of poliomyelitis sequelae in adolescent patients. Further randomized, controlled studies are needed to support this argument.