The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
권호 표지

An Analysis of the Outcome of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients with Spinal Stenosis or Herniated Intervertebral Discs

요척주관 협착증 혹은 추간판 탈출증 환자에서 실시한 경추간공 경막외 스테로이드 주입의 결과에 관한 분석

  • Hong, Ji Hee (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dong San Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Yong Chul (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dong San Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Han Min (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dong San Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Chul Hyung (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dong San Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine)
  • 홍지희 (계명대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 이용철 (계명대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 이한민 (계명대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 강철형 (계명대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실)
  • Received : 2008.01.25
  • Accepted : 2008.03.10
  • Published : 2008.06.01
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Abstract

Background: Spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs are the principal causes of lumbosacral radiculopathy. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic value and duration of pain relief of fluoroscopic guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in patients with refractory radicular leg pain. Methods: Between August 2006 and March 2007, 87 patients (H group: patients with herniated intervertebral disc, S group: patients with spinal stenosis) who met the inclusion criteria were treated with fluoroscopic guided TFESIs. Prior to treatment, the VAS and ODI scores were determine to evaluate the degree of pain and level of disability. The degree of pain relief was then assessed 1 month after treatment with the TFESIs and graded as excellent (no residual pain), good (improvement of pain symptoms by more than 50%), fair (improvement of pain symptoms by less than 50%) and Poor (no improvement of pain). In addition, the duration of pain relief was evaluated by regular outpatient visits for 6 months, and by telephone interviews after 6 months. Results: The H and S group both had excellet results at 1 month after treatment with TFESIs showing improvements of 44.1% and 20.8% respectively. However this difference was not significant between groups. In addition, a duration of pain relief greater than 6 months was achieved in 32.4% of the patients in the H group and 37.7% of those in the S group. Conclusions: TFESIs had a similar degree of therapeutic effectiveness and duration of pain relief in patients with spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs.

Keywords

References

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