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    Interventional procedure overview of radiofrequency ablation as an adjunct to balloon kyphoplasty or percutaneous vertebroplasty for palliation of painful spinal metastases

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    Validity and generalisability of the studies

    • Evidence included in systematic reviews was mainly from small prospective and retrospective studies.

    • RFA systems with different ablation methods (bipolar RF electrodes) and temperatures, protocols were used in studies.

    • The majority of the patients or treated vertebrae (94 to 96%) had vertebral augmentation with RFA

    • Most of the outcomes were variable patient reported outcomes and are subject to high risk of bias.

    • Follow-up periods varied across studies.

    • Limited studies show that RFA is likely to provide effective short to mid-term (1 week to 6 months) pain relief.