Evaluation of Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation of the Superior Hypogastric Plexus for Treatment of Bladder Pain Syndrome A Case Series

What this Trial Is About

Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) is a complex chronic pain condition mainly affecting women, characterized by bladder pain, pressure, and discomfort alongside urinary urgency and frequency. This study aims to explore whether using electrical micro-current directed at the superior hypogastric plexus, a nerve group involved in pelvic pain, can reduce pain in women aged 18 and older diagnosed with BPS. Current treatments vary and are not universally effective, so this research investigates a novel approach called pulsed radiofrequency ablation (pRFA) for pain relief. Participants will undergo a one-time procedure where two needles are inserted near the spine to deliver brief bursts of electrical micro-current to the target nerve, targeting pain pathways. The procedure includes local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance. After treatment, participants will have follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months to assess pain, mood, sexual function, and bladder irritation symptoms. The study focuses on evaluating changes in pain scores and other relevant symptoms over six months. Participants will be evaluated at the start and during follow-up visits in a chronic pain clinic setting. Assessments include pain severity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), bladder symptom indices, urinary frequency, mood questionnaires, and patient-reported impressions of symptom severity and improvement. Researchers will closely monitor these measures to understand the effects of the treatment. The total participation time is six months from the initial procedure, with detailed symptom tracking throughout the study period.

New Approaches to Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Bladder Pain Syndrome