Abstract

Purpose
The psoas–lumbar vertebral index (PLVI), a marker of central sarcopenia measured using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has been linked to the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Whether PLVI predicts short-term pain relief after pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) treatment of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in established PHN remains unknown. This pilot study examined the association between PLVI and the reduction in numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores 1 month after pRF.
Methods
Patients with PHN who underwent DRG pRF and had CT or MRI scans available for PLVI measurement were retrospectively reviewed. Correlations of the NRS reduction rate with PLVI and other variables were assessed, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patients were divided into low- and high-PLVI groups using sex-specific medians and compared; multivariable regression was adjusted for sex. A supplementary responder analysis used thresholds of ≥30% and ≥50% reduction.
Results
In 19 patients, NRS scores decreased from 4.8±1.7 to 3.2±1.7, with a reduction rate of 29.3%±34.0%. PLVI was not significantly correlated with the reduction rate (r=−0.17; 95% CI, −0.58 to 0.31; P=0.49); neither the reduction rate (P=0.71) nor responder rates differed between the low- and high-PLVI groups. Male sex was associated with a smaller reduction (adjusted B=−47.2 percentage points; 95% CI, −90.9 to −3.5; P=0.036), although the unadjusted group comparison was not significant (Welch P=0.051) and 15 variables were tested without correction for multiple comparisons.
Conclusion
This pilot cohort showed no detectable association between PLVI and short-term pain relief after pRF; its small size precludes establishing the absence of an association. The exploratory sex difference warrants investigation in larger prospective studies with comprehensive sarcopenia assessment.

• Keywords: Neuralgia, postherpetic; Herpes zoster; Pulsed radiofrequency treatment; Sarcopenia; Psoas muscles; Republic of Korea