pulsed radiofrequency on intercostal nerves (2-5)

pulsed radiofrequency on dorsal root ganglion (2-5)

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.

A Visual Analogue Scale is a measurement instrument that tries to measure a characteristic or attitude that is believed to range across a continuum of values and cannot easily be directly measured. For example, the intensity of pain. Operationally a VAS is usually a horizontal line, 100 mm in length, anchored by word descriptors at each end. The patient marks on the line the point that they feel represents their perception of their current state.The VAS score is determined by measuring in millimetres from the left handend of the line to the point that the patient marks.

Scoring and interpretation : using a ruler, score is determined by measuring the distance(mm) on the10 cm line between the "no pain" anchor and the patient's mark ,providing a range of scores from (0_100).

A higher score indicates greater pain intensity. the following cut points on the pain VAS have been recommended: no pain (0-4 mm), mild pain(5-44 mm), moderate pain (45-74 mm), and severe pain (75-100 mm) .

The change in analgesics consumption