박동성 고주파처치를 시행한 쥐 궁둥신경의 방사광 소각 X-선 산란법을 이용한 미세구조 분석

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) may be used in thetreatment of patients with some pain syndromes that cannot becontrolled by alternative techniques. The objective of the presentstudy is to examine the ultrastructural changes in rat sciatic nerveafter PRF, using synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Methods: Twenty rats (Male Sprague-Dawley, about 250 grams)were used this study. The PRF is applied to the afferent axonsof the sciatic nerves of the rats in ex vivo state, and the ultrastructureof axons were studied after 1 (N = 5), 4 (N = 5), and 6 (N = 5)weeks by SAXS. The control (N = 5) consisted of non-treated sciaticnerve to provide a statistical differential comparison. Results: In the PRF group, the periodic peaks of myelin sheathand collagen fibrils were not changed compared to the control group,in the time progression of 1, 4, and 6 weeks. But the periodic peaksof interfibrillar distance of collagen were greater at 1 and 4 weeksafter PRF, comparing to the control group, but it had tendency toreturn to normal in 6 weeks. Conclusions: It is suggested that PRF did not induce ultrastructuralchange of myelin sheath and collagen fiber, but it induced thechange of distance between collagen fibrils of the nerve tissue. This change was not caused by thermal injury but by electromagneticfields and it is reversible.