Lumbar Medial Branch Nerve Histology
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nerve composition of Human Lumbar Dorsal Primary Rami and its medial branch
IRAS ID
299652
Contact name
Saravanakumar Kanakarajan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 27 days
Research summary
Radiofrequency denervation (RFD) of lumbar medial branches is a NICE recommended treatment for low back pain originating from facet joints. The success of RFD depends denervating an adequate length of lumbar medial branch/ dorsal ramus. The morphological composition of human lumbar dorsal rami is not known. To evaluate the factors influencing the spread of RF lesion at the tissue level, we need to know the composition of these nerves. Hence, histological evaluation of human lumbar dorsal rami and the medial branches is proposed.
During certain spinal surgical procedures, these nerves are routinely destroyed as part of the surgery. In this study, we will harvest a portion of lumbar medial branch and dorsal rami, which will be destroyed otherwise and undertake anatomical and histological evaluation. The excess tissue will be stored in biorepository anonymously.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0286
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion