Disclosures: Carter M. Newey, DO: AAPM&R (Products/Services: No) (Honorarium)

Objective: This systematic review looks at all reported cases within the currently published literature of NCS/EMG abnormalities following spinal RFA.

Design: Systematic Review Setting : N/A Participants : N/A

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: N/A

Results: 3 total articles – 2 case series and 1 case report – with 4 total patients met inclusion criteria. NCS/EMG performed showed left L5-S1 radiculopathy, right lumbosacral radiculopathy, L4-S1 lumbosacral plexopathy, and motor neuron absence resulting in severe kyphosis. 2 (50%) patients recovered with significant clinical improvement, 1 (25%) improved kyphosis with neurosurgical correction, and 1 (25%) had persistent sensory and motor deficits of the left leg. Conclusions: Neurologic complications are few because RFA of the spine is relatively safe; however, 4 patients showed NCS/EMG abnormalities. When new-onset post-RFA neurologic complications arise, there is often an indication for electrodiagnostic testing to correctly diagnose neurologic pathology, guiding treatment and management. One limitation of this study is the paucity of articles regarding electrodiagnostic studies after RFA. Future studies examining patients with electrodiagnostic abnormalities post-RFA will help evaluate procedural neurologic complications.

Level of Evidence: Level III

« Back to AAPM&R Annual Assembly 2020

PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/nerve-conduction-and-electromyographic-abnormalities-following-spinal-radiofrequency-ablation-a-systematic-review/