The longer term effect of pulsed radiofrequency for neuropathic pain

Pulse radiofrequency has been recently described as a technique to apply a relatively high voltage near a nerve but without the usual effects of a ris e in temperature or subsequent nerve injury. In this set of case reports, t he effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is described in patients with neur opathic pain syndromes which have been poorly controlled with Other oral an d invasive treatments. Whilst anecdotal, the results have been remarkable a nd should encourage further research into this technique. Observations from the basic science tend to support the concept that PRF may induce some sor t of long-term depression in the spinal cord. (C) 1999 International Associ ation for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.