Objectives: Radiofrequency denervation of the facet joints is performed via a well-established method. Its primary, direct indication is a positive response to a nerve block injection (MBB). Our study aimed to find other, effective but indirect indication signs through the retrospective analysis of our patients treated earlier.Patients and methods: In our institute between 1 January, 2008 and 31 December, 2017 facet joint denervation has been performed in more than 2000 cases, and we included 529 patients in our retrospective study. We had separate groups for vertebral compression fractures and for spondylarthrosis of different severity (Grade 1; 2-3; 4), thus we assessed the postoperative condition of these patients using Visual Analoge Scale (VAS). The efficacy of the intervention was examined in every groups separately according to symptoms and previous spine surgeries. Results: In view of our results, chronic lumbago and dorsalgia that are attributable to osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture are obvious indications if they do not respond to conservative therapy, as 76.8% of such patients remained asymptomatic for minimum 6 months (p = 0,000). Another indication is Grade 2 or 3 chronic spondylarthrosis without radicular involvement, since these groups reported a 51.4% success rate (asymptomatic for minimum 6 months) (p = 0,015). Long term pain relief is obviously impaired by the presence of radicular compression, as we were not able to decrease the pain of 97% of such patients. Our findings also suggest that the vast majority of those who have previously undergone spine surgery cannot benefit from the intervention. Conclusion:Based on this study, facet joint denervation can serve as an effective therapy supplement in a properly selected group of patients who do not respond to oral NSAIDs, exercise and physiotherapy. By this procedure we found we can reach long term benefit in the groups of osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients and patients with moderate spondylarthrosis. According to our results and the literature datas the properly patient selection for the indication of the RF ablation can be as effective as the controversial diagnostic nerve block injections.

Background -Because of the rare occurrence of thoracic disc herniation and surgery needed treatment the used approaches and their efficiency are still subjects of discussions. In Hungarian practice, the most frequent explorations are costotransversectomy and laminectomy, but there are many other important methods available like thoracoscopic and posterior transdural approaches. This case report will present the benefits and the surgical procedure of posterior transdural sequesterectomy, carry out for the first time in Hungary at the Neurosurgical Department on Szeged University. Case presentation -A 50-year-old female patient with achondroplasic nanism has been operated several times since 2011. She suffered from a progressive, multi-segment affected degenerative discopathy and myelopathy. Finally in the background of the recurrent paraparesis was confirmed thoracic disc herniations at the levels of T8 and T9. The use of intraoperative electrophysiology was not feasable, because the earlier described cervical myelopathy. For this reason we used the posterior transdural approach, as the best and safest, visual control warranted technique. Conclusions -The posterior transdural approach offers an alternative option for experienced surgeons, furthermore in contrast with traditional, technically difficult to implement or special instrumentation demanding approaches this technique seems to be more efficient.