Comparison of the Effects of Ganglion Impar Pulsed Radiofrequency and Neurolytic Phenol Injection on Pain Levels in Patients with Coccydynia.

Abstract

Ganglion impar block is a commonly employed treatment modality for chronic coccydynia, a condition that is characterized by persistent pain localized in the sacrococcygeal region and that affects the quality of patients' lives significantly. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of ganglion impar pulsed radiofrequency (GIPRF) and neurolytic phenol injection in patients with chronic coccydynia. A single-center, retrospective, comparative observational cohort study. Conducted at a tertiary referral center. This retrospective study included 64 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with chronic coccydynia and underwent treatment with either ganglion impar pulsed radiofrequency or neurolytic phenol blocks (GINPBs). Patients were divided into 2 groups: GINPB (n = 32) and GIPRF (n = 32). Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while patient satisfaction was assessed via the Likert scale (LS). Baseline VAS pain scores were comparable between the groups. However, at both one and 3 months after treatment, the GIPRF group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores than did the GINPB group (P < 0.001). The magnitude of improvement in VAS scores from baseline at one and 3 months was also greater in the GIPRF group. Correspondingly, significant differences in both pain scores and patient satisfaction were observed between the groups at the 3-month follow-up. The main limitations of this study include the relatively small sample size, the short follow-up duration of 3 months, and the single-center design. In the early management of chronic coccydynia, pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation appears to offer superior, more durable pain relief to ganglion impar neurolytic phenol injections and is accompanied by higher patient satisfaction rates.