The committee noted that the literature described a variety of techniques for percutaneous electrothermal treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus for low back pain and sciatica, and that different names were used to describe them. These complicated its consideration of the published evidence.
The committee was disappointed by the lack of new evidence following its specific recommendation for further research on this procedure in NICE's interventional procedures guidance on percutaneous intradiscal electrothermal therapy for low back pain. It considered that publication of comparative studies would be particularly useful.
The committee noted that the technology for this procedure is evolving.