Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41874850›Full record

ReviewAdvances in therapy2026

Intercostal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation: A Comprehensive Review of Evolving Techniques and Clinical Applications.

Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Shahnaz Fooladi, Barnabas T Shiferaw

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Advances in therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Alaa Abd-ElsayedDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, B6/319 CSC, Madison, WI, 53792-3272, USA. alaaawny@hotmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9890-7860
Shahnaz FooladiImam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9535-7376
Barnabas T ShiferawDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Avenue, B6/319 CSC, Madison, WI, 53792-3272, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2767-6251

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIntercostal neuralgia is a neuropathic pain arising from the intercostal nerves and commonly presents as sharp and burning pain along the chest wall following surgical interventions, neuroma formation, or post-herpetic neuralgia. Conservative treatments include medical management with anti-inflammatory drugs, neuropathic medications, opioids, and intercostal nerve blocks. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that has been shown to offer pain relief for patients with intercostal neuralgia refractory to conservative measures. This article discusses anatomical considerations and interventional approaches for RFA of the intercostal nerves. These approaches consider anatomical differences, such as the Kuntz nerve and uncommon nerve branches, to enhance accuracy, clinical efficacy, and safety.

resultsPreliminary clinical experience and anatomical analysis suggest this image-guided RFA technique improves procedural safety and targeting accuracy. Early outcomes indicate improved pain control in patients with chronic intercostal neuralgia, with reduced risk of complications and better preservation of motor and sympathetic function.

conclusionRFA effectively treats intercostal neuralgia refractory to conservative measures. Successful treatment of intercostal neuralgia with RFA relies on a strong anatomical understanding and proper technical approaches outlined in this study.

Indexed as

Catheter AblationIntercostal NervesNeuralgiaRadiofrequency AblationHumansIntercostal nerveIntercostal neuralgiaRadiofrequency ablation

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.