Abstract
Background
Lumbar disc prolapse is a localized herniation of disc beyond intervertebral disc space and is the most common cause of sciatica; the aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) compared with fluoroscopy (FL)-guided CESI in treatment of patients with refractory lumbar disc prolapse (LDP) with radiculopathy.
Results
At the beginning of the study, there was no significant difference between both groups in all parameters. (a) Group 1 had significantly improved the straight leg raising and modified Schober tests, VAS, and ODI at 1-month and 3-month post-injection evaluation in comparison to baseline recordings (p < 0.001); (b) Group 2 had significantly improved the straight leg raising and modified Schober tests, VAS, and ODI at 1-month and 3-month post-injection evaluation in comparison to baseline recordings (p < 0.001); and (c) US-guided CESI was not statistically different from the FL-guided CESI in the improvement of the straight leg raising (p = 0.87, 0.82) and modified Schober tests (p = 0.87, 0.82) as well as VAS (p = 0.40, 0.43) and ODI (p = 0.7, 0.2) at 1-month and 3-month post-injection evaluation. In a multivariate analysis using CI = 95%, the significant predictors for a successful outcome were duration < 6 months (p = 0.03, OR = 2.25), target level not L2-3/L3-4 (p < 0.001, OR = 4.13), and LDP other than foraminal type (p = 0.002, OR = 3.78). However, age < 40 years was found to be non-significant in predicting a successful outcome (p = 0.38, OR = 0.98).
Conclusion
US is excellent in guiding CESI with similar treatment outcomes as compared with FL-guided CESI.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03933150.
Selective nerve root block in lumbar radiculopathy in lumbar disc prolapse
