Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회지)

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Lumbar Facet Joint Injection: A Review of Efficacy and Safety

요추 후관절 주사: 임상적 유용성과 안전성에 대한 고찰

  • Yoonah Do (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Eugene Lee (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Choong Guen Chee (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Joon Woo Lee (Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital)
  • 도윤아 (분당서울대학교병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 이영준 (분당서울대학교병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 지충근 (분당서울대학교병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 이준우 (분당서울대학교병원 영상의학과)
  • Received : 2023.12.01
  • Accepted : 2024.01.15
  • Published : 2024.01.01
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Abstract

Facet joint arthrosis is a progressive degenerative disease that is frequently associated with other spinal degenerative disorders such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis can induce pain in the proximal lower extremities. However, symptoms and imaging findings of "facet joint syndrome" are not specific as they mimic the pain from herniated discs or nerve root compression. Currently, evidence for therapeutic intra-articular lumbar facet joint injections is still considered low, with a weak recommendation strength. Nevertheless, some studies have reported therapeutic effectiveness of facet joint injections. Moreover, the use of therapeutic facet joint injections in clinical practice has increased. This review article includes opinions based on the authors' experience with facet joint injections. This review primarily aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar facet joint injections and consider their associated safety aspects.

후관절병증은 퇴행성 추간판 질환 또는 척추관 협착증과 같은 척추 퇴행성 질환과 잘 동반되는 진행성 퇴행성 질환이다. 요추의 후관절병증은 근위부 하지의 통증을 유발할 수 있지만 그 증상과 영상 소견이 비특이적이기 때문에 추간판 탈출증이나 신경근 압박에 의한 통증과 감별이 어렵다. 또한 치료적 요추 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사는 현재까지 그 근거가 낮다고 분류되어 있으나, 다른 여러 연구들에서는 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사의 치료적 효과를 보고하고 있다. 실제 진료 현장에서는 치료적 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사 시술이 증가하고 있는 추세로, 본 종설에서는 후관절 내 주사에 대한 저자들의 경험을 바탕으로 요추 후관절 내 주사의 임상적 유용성 및 시술의 안전성에 대해서 소개하고자 한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. NRF-2020R1F1A1060936).

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