scholarly journals Effect of High-Volume Injectate in Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Randomized, Active Control Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 6;18 (6;11) ◽  
pp. E519-E525
Author(s):  
Hahck Soo Park
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Active Control ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: There have been many studies proving the effectiveness of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for the treatment of radicular pain. Dexamethasone has been suggested as an alternative to particulate steroids. However, no controlled trials have investigated the effect of different injected volumes for a same dose of dexamethasone. Objective: To compare the effects of a high-volume injectate with those of a low-volume injectate using the same dose of dexamethasone for 2 groups in lumbar TFESI. Study Design: A prospective, randomized, active control trial. Setting: The outpatient clinic of a single academic medical center. Methods: A total of 66 patients were randomized to receive lumbar transforaminal epidural dexamethasone injections with either a low-volume injectate (3mL, N = 30) or a high-volume injectate (8mL, N = 32). The primary outcome measures for this study were the incidence of the patients achieving meaningful pain relief and a reduction on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, range 0 – 100) at 4 weeks after the procedure. The definition of “meaningful pain relief” was ≥ 50% from baseline. The secondary outcomes included the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ, range 0 – 24) score and adverse effects. The outcomes were assessed 4 weeks after the procedure. Results: Four weeks after the procedure, in the DL8 group, the incidence of achieving meaningful pain relief was higher compared with DL3 group (19, 59.4% vs. 9, 30%, P = 0.024). Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in their VAS and RMDQ scores (P < 0.05). The VAS of the high-volume injectate group (DL8) was significantly lower than that of the low-volume injectate group (DL3) (33.3 ± 25 vs. 46.3 ± 25, P = 0.036). There was no significant difference in the RMDQ score between the 2 groups. Limitations: We enrolled a small number of patients and did not assess the long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Injectate at a volume of 8 mL was more effective than injectate at a volume of 3 mL for radicular pain in a lumbar transforaminal steroid injection, although both of the injectates contained the same dose of dexamethasone. Key words: Dexamethasone, disc herniation, epidural injection, lumbar, radiculopathy

scholarly journals Methylprednisolone Dosage in Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections: A Retrospective Analysis of Efficacy in Pain Relief

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Calvin Rong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Similar Efficacy ◽  
Pain Scale ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Epidural injections have been used for pain relief since the 1880s. Corticosteroids are antiinflammatory medications that can alleviate pain, but also have harmful systemic adverse effects. Literature regarding methylprednisolone dosage efficacy is limited. Objectives: To determine the lowest effective dose of methylprednisolone in a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) for maximal pain relief without exposing patients to adverse events caused by steroid use. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Outpatient interventional pain clinic at an academic center. Methods: Adults (n = 133), aged 18 to 85 years, with low-back pain and radicular symptoms treated with LESI from August 2011 to November 2015. Patients who received prior cervical epidural steroid injections were excluded. Interventions were LESI with methylprednisolone 40 mg, 80 mg, or 120 mg. Main outcome measures showed change in pain score using a numeric pain scale (NPS; 0 = no pain, 10 = excruciating pain), and patient’s self-reported reduction in pain (percentage), pre- and postprocedure. The primary endpoint measurement was 2 weeks postinjection. Adverse effects were recorded. Results: The number of patients who received each dose varied: n = 88 received 120 mg, n = 30 received 80 mg, and n = 13 received 40 mg. The NPS pain scores pre- and postprocedure for 120 mg were 8.89 ± 1.32 and 4.08 ± 3.74, (mean ± standard deviation), respectively; for 80 mg: 9.06 ± 1.00 and 3.75 ± 4.00; and for 40 mg: 9.00 ± 1.00 and 4.00 ± 0.00. Percentage of pain relief for 120 mg, 80 mg, and 40 mg was 57.26%, 50.74%, and 57.26, respectively (P = 0.3347). n = 4 experienced adverse effects, all received 120 mg. Conclusions: All 3 dosage groups had similar efficacy in pain relief, but only patients who received 120 mg experienced adverse effects. This demonstrates that lower dosages can be used for pain relief with less potential harm to the patient. Key words: Methylprednisolone, interlaminar epidural, radiculopathy

Repeat epidural steroid injections for radicular pain due to lumbar or cervical disc herniation

2018 ◽  
Vol 100-B (10) ◽  
pp. 1364-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Joswig ◽  
A. Neff ◽  
C. Ruppert ◽  
G. Hildebrandt ◽  
M. N. Stienen
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Cervical Disc Herniation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
One Year ◽  
Epidural Steroid

AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of repeat epidural steroid injections as a form of treatment for patients with insufficiently controlled or recurrent radicular pain due to a lumbar or cervical disc herniation.Patients and MethodsA cohort of 102 patients was prospectively followed, after an epidural steroid injection for radicular symptoms due to lumbar disc herniation, in 57 patients, and cervical disc herniation, in 45 patients. Those patients with persistent pain who requested a second injection were prospectively followed for one year. Radicular and local pain were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional outcome with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or the Neck Pain and Disability Index (NPAD), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-12).ResultsA second injection was performed in 17 patients (29.8%) with lumbar herniation and seven (15.6%) with cervical herniation at a mean of 65.3 days (sd 46.5) and 47 days (sd 37.2), respectively, after the initial injection. All but one patient, who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy, responded satisfactorily with a mean VAS for leg pain of 8.8 mm (sd 10.3) and a mean VAS for arm pain of 6.3 mm (sd 9) one year after the second injection, respectively. Similarly, functional outcome and HRQoL were improved significantly from the baseline scores: mean ODI, 12.3 (sd 12.4; p < 0.001); mean NPAD, 19.3 (sd 24.3; p = 0.041); mean SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) in lumbar herniation, 46.8 (sd 7.7; p < 0.001); mean SF-12 PCS in cervical herniation, 43 (sd 6.8; p = 0.103).ConclusionRepeat steroid injections are a justifiable form of treatment in symptomatic patients with lumbar or cervical disc herniation whose symptoms are not satisfactorily relieved after the first injection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1364–71.

scholarly journals What Is the Role of Epidural Steroid Injections in Lumbar Spinal Disease with Moderate Disability?

2016 ◽  
Vol 4;19 (4;5) ◽  
pp. 293-298
Author(s):  
Jae-Young Hong
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Spinal Disease ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
One Year ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Epidural steroid injections have been gaining popularity as an alternative to surgical treatment of radicular pain with associated spinal derangement. To determine the effectiveness and indications of lumbar epidural steroid injections in patients with or without surgery, we performed a prospective observational study. We gathered data from 262 degenerative short-segment spinal disease patients (affected at one or 2 levels) with greater than 12 weeks of medication-resistant radicular pain without neurological deficits but with moderate disability (visual analog scale < 6.5; Oswestry Disability Index < 35). All patients received initial fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections of the affected vertebral level(s) corresponding to their symptoms. Those with inadequate responses or who wanted subsequently surgery underwent decompression surgery. Clinical and demographic characteristics were assessed to compare the differences between the groups. Results: Of the 262 patients who received epidural steroid injections, 204 did not have operations for up to one year. However, 58 patients experienced inadequate relief of pain or wanted operations and therefore underwent surgery. At baseline, the 2 groups had similar mean disability indices and pain scores, as well as gender ratios, ages, and durations of symptoms (P > 0.05). In the patients who underwent surgery, the mean disability and pain scores were not significantly decreased after injection compared to those in the injection-alone group, although the scores for the injection plus surgery patients decreased significantly after surgery (P < 0.05). In contrast, patients who underwent epidural steroid injection alone experienced a significant decrease in disability and pain after injection, and that persisted up to one year of follow-up (P < 0.05). Epidural steroid injection can decrease the pain and disability in the majority of a moderate disability group for up to one year, although a significant number of patients underwent surgery regardless of injection. We recommend epidural steroid injection as a first-line treatment in patients with moderate disability that can be converted to surgery without significant delay. Key words: Epidural steroid injection, spinal surgery, lumbar spinal disease, lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar radicular pain

scholarly journals Are Foraminal Stenosis Severity and Herniation Level Associated with the Treatment Success of Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection?

2020 ◽  
Vol 3;23 (6;3) ◽  
pp. 325-332
Author(s):  
Ipek Saadet Edipoglu
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Cervical Disc Herniation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Foraminal Stenosis ◽  
Spinal Level ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Foraminal stenosis, defined as a narrowing of the cervical neural foramen, is one of the most common causes of upper extremity radicular pain. Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the effects of the severity of neural foraminal stenosis and spinal herniation level on treatment success in patients treated with interlaminar epidural steroid injections (ILESI) due to cervical disc herniation-related radiculopathy and their possible predictive roles. Study Design: A retrospective assessment. Setting: A university hospital interventional pain management center. Methods: We performed our study between August 2017 and February 2019, retrospectively. All patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical and demographic data, including pain scores before and after cervical ILESI in the first hour, third week, and third month follow-ups, presence of motor deficits, symptom side, symptom duration before cervical ILESI, and whether there was progression to surgery in the 3-month period after injection, were collected. Results: We evaluated 61 patients in the final analysis. When the spinal herniation levels and foraminal stenosis grades were compared, there was a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.003, P = 0.005). We reported significant correlations between foraminal stenosis grade (odds ratio [OR], –0.425, P = 0.038) and spinal herniation level (OR, –0.925, P = 0.001) and treatment success. Limitations: Our study’s design was retrospective. Conclusions: Cervical ILESI is a reliable treatment option that provides a significant reduction in pain of patients with cervical radiculopathy. However, the success of ILESI treatment may be negatively affected in these patients in the presence of high spinal level cervical disc herniation and severe foraminal stenosis. Therefore considering these 2 parameters in predicting the patient population who will benefit from cervical ILESI is of importance in terms of decreasing potential complications. Key words: Interlaminar epidural steroid injections, foraminal stenosis, spinal level, cervical disc herniation, radicular pain

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