gelified ethanol + pulsed radiofrequency

This combination therapy involves the intradiscal administration of gelified ethanol (marketed as Discogel) alongside pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain. Discogel is a sterile, viscous solution composed of ethyl alcohol, a cellulose derivative (ethylcellulose), and tungsten, which serves as a radiopaque agent for fluoroscopic guidance. Its mechanism of action involves inducing fluid migration from the periphery of the intervertebral disc to its center through hydrophilic and osmotic phenomena, which reinforces the disc structure and reduces intradiscal pressure. Pulsed radiofrequency is a minimally invasive neuromodulatory technique that applies a high-frequency electromagnetic field to the disc to alleviate pain without causing significant thermal tissue destruction. This specific combination was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted by researchers at Attikon University Hospital in Greece to assess its efficacy in patients refractory to conservative treatments.

Brand names

Discogel

Other names

gelified ethanolintradiscal gelified ethanolDiscogel + PRF