Pulsed Radiofrequency for Lumbosacral Radicular Pain in Dogs: Description and Assessment of an Ultrasound- and Fluoroscopy-Guided Technique in a Cadaveric Model

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) applied to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is commonly performed to manage lumbar radicular pain in human patients. Radiculopathy affecting the seventh lumbar spinal nerve has been identified as key predictor of lumbosacral pain in dogs, yet no published technique exists for placing a PRF electrode adjacent to its DRG to deliver PRF treatment. We describe a novel approach in canine cadavers, integrating ultrasound guidance to locate relevant landmarks and confirm cannula placement under fluoroscopy. Black Indian ink was used to create a localised tissue mark at the tip of a radiofrequency cannula, and subsequent cryosections were performed to measure the distance between the mark and the DRG, revealing a distance of 1.96 ± 1.07 mm. Because this was a cadaveric model, no conclusions can be drawn regarding clinical efficacy or safety in live animals. Nonetheless, these results demonstrate the feasibility of precise electrode positioning using combined imaging in dogs. Future research should explore whether PRF delivered through this approach can indeed alleviate lumbosacral radicular pain in dogs, as well as establish optimal electrode-to-nerve distances and potential safety considerations. Ultimately, this technique could broaden veterinary interventions for chronic spinal pain, improving the quality of life in affected dogs.