Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for the treatment of discogenic pain

Despite advances in imaging and interventional techniques, discogenic back pain continues to be a diagnostic and management challenge. Practitioners have sought the use of minimally invasive intradiscal thermal therapies for the relief of discogenic low back pain. Different techniques delivering heat to the disc have been developed, collectively known as thermal intradiscal procedures. The main focus of this review is dedicated to the most studied procedure, intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET), in the management of discogenic low back pain. Although IDET may be beneficial in a selected population of patients, evidence in support of wider use of IDET does not exist. The debate goes on regarding the efficacy of the available techniques.

Keywords: Low back pain, Discogenic pain, IDET, Intradiscal procedure