"The majority of patients were pain free after receiving a new imageguided pulsed radiofrequency treatment for low back pain and sciatica according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America RSNA. Low back pain is an extremely common problem that affects at least  percent of the population at some point in their lifetime. It is the most common cause of jobrelated disability. Low back pain affects men and women equally. Most back pain is shortterm but about  percent of people affected by acute low back pain go on to develop chronic low back pain lasting a year or more. A compressed and herniated disk in which the rubbery cushion between vertebrae impinges on and irritates nearby nerves is a major cause of low back pain that can radiate to the legs. The nerve root is a sensitive structure that when pinched becomes inflamed and causes pain said lead investigator Alessandro Napoli M.D. Ph.D. an interventional radiologist at Sapienza University of Rome. The body reacts with muscle constriction which decreases the distance between vertebrae and a vicious cycle is created. The singlecenter prospective study included  patients experiencing at least three months of low back pain due to a herniated disk that had not responded to conservative treatments including exercise and medication. The patients underwent a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure in which with the help of CT imaging a needle is guided to the location of the bulging disc and nerve root. A probe is then inserted through the needle tip and delivers pulsed radiofrequency energy to the area over a minute period. Even without touching the disc the pulsation serves to resolve the herniation. The probe delivers a gentle electrical energy so theres no thermal damage Dr. Napoli said. The results have been extraordinary. Patients have been relieved of pain and resumed their normal activities within a day. Of the  patients treated  percent were pain free one year after a single minute treatment session. Six patients required a second pulsed radiofrequency session. Ninety percent of the patients were able to avoid surgical treatment. Following this treatment inflammation and pain go away. With relaxation of the muscles the distance between the vertebrae returns Dr. Napoli explained. Dr. Napoli said no patients experienced side effects after receiving the minimally invasive outpatient treatment. Theres a big gap between conservative treatments for disc compression and herniation and surgical repair which can lead to infection bleeding and a long recovery period Dr. Napoli said. Evolving technologies like this imageguided treatment may help a substantial number of patients avoid surgery.  Coauthors are Roberto Scipione M.D. Hans Peter Erasmus M.D. Cristina Marrocchio M.D. Susan Dababou M.D. and Carlo Catalano M.D. Note Copies of RSNA  news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.orgpress http beginning Monday Nov. .  RSNA is an association of over  radiologists radiation oncologists medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook Ill. RSNA.org http For patientfriendly information on interventional radiology procedures visit RadiologyInfo.org http"