Predictors of Success After Intercostal Nerve Radiofrequency Treatment for Intercostal Neuralgia

NCT07367152 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MERSINALG-INTERCOSTALRF-2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This retrospective cohort study will review medical records of patients treated with intercostal nerve radiofrequency for intercostal neuralgia. The goal is to identify patient and clinical factors that are associated with treatment success after the procedure. Outcomes will be assessed using pain measures documented during routine follow-up visits, along with any recorded adverse events. No additional visits, tests, or interventions are required because this study uses previously collected clinical data.

Conditions

Intercostal Neuralgia; Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ); Thoracic Neuropathic Pain

Keywords

Intercostal nerve; Pulsed radiofrequency; Conventional radiofrequency; Ultrasound-guided

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Treatment response at 6 months (IMMPACT-defined responder rate)

  Responder defined as ≥50% reduction or ≥4-point decrease in NRS-11 compared with baseline.

  6 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in NRS-11 pain score from baseline

  Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Intercostal Nerve Radiofrequency Cohort

Adults with intercostal neuralgia who underwent ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve radiofrequency treatment (conventional or pulsed) as part of routine clinical care.

Procedure: Intercostal Nerve Conventional Radiofrequency Ablation (CRF); Procedure: Intercostal Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF)

Interventions

Intercostal Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided intercostal pulsed radiofrequency delivered at 42°C for 240 seconds.

Intercostal Nerve Radiofrequency Cohort

Intercostal Nerve Conventional Radiofrequency Ablation (CRF) PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve lesioning at 80°C for 90 seconds following sensory stimulation.

Intercostal Nerve Radiofrequency Cohort

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults (≥18 years) with intercostal neuralgia who underwent ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve radiofrequency treatment (conventional or pulsed) in routine clinical care and had documented baseline and at least 6-month follow-up NRS-11 pain scores.

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Diagnosis of intercostal neuralgia (post-traumatic, postherpetic, or idiopathic) with thoracic neuropathic pain for at least 1 month
• Underwent ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve radiofrequency treatment (conventional radiofrequency ablation \[CRF\] or pulsed radiofrequency \[PRF\]) as part of routine clinical care
• Documented baseline NRS-11 pain score prior to the procedure and follow-up NRS-11 data available through at least 6 months after treatment.

You may not qualify if:

• Thoracic pain attributable to malignancy-related causes (e.g., active malignant invasion, spinal metastasis) or an intrathoracic mass
• History of thoracic surgery at the corresponding thoracic dermatome level (e.g., thoracotomy or VATS)
• Prior radiofrequency treatment at the same intercostal nerve site
• Receipt of other interventional treatments targeting the intercostal nerve during the study period (e.g., cryoablation or chemical neurolysis)
• Insufficient follow-up data (less than 6 months of follow-up NRS-11 documentation).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mersin University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Algology

Mersin, Mersin, 33110, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Huang X, Ma Y, Wang W, Guo Y, Xu B, Ma K. Efficacy and safety of pulsed radiofrequency modulation of thoracic dorsal root ganglion or intercostal nerve on postherpetic neuralgia in aged patients: a retrospective study. BMC Neurol. 2021 Jun 24;21(1):233. doi: 10.1186/s12883-021-02286-6.

  PMID: 34162352 RESULT

• Engel AJ. Utility of intercostal nerve conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations in the injured worker after blunt trauma. Pain Physician. 2012 Sep-Oct;15(5):E711-8.

  PMID: 22996865 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia, Postherpetic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neuralgia; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 16, 2026
• First Posted: January 26, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: January 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)