Efficacy of Interventional Procedures for Neuropathic Pain

We present an up-to-date summary of the scientific evidence on (1) the diagnostic value of neural blockade in radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome; (2) the therapeutic value of neural blockade on peripheral trauma-related neuropathic pain, herpes zoster, postherpetic neuralgia, lumbosacral and cervical radiculopathy, failed back surgery syndrome with prominent radicular symptoms, complex regional pain syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and painful diabetic and other peripheral neuropathies; and (3) the efficacy of neural destructive techniques and pulse radiofrequency on postherpetic neuralgia, cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy, and sympathetically maintained pain. The evidence for efficacy is, at the best, moderate, and is often limited or conflicting.