[Results of CT-guided periradicular pain therapy].
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of CT-guided periradicular pain therapy was studied.


METHODS
55 patients with lumbar and/or radicular pain were treated by periradicular injections of 40 ml triamcinolon, in some cases combined with injection of the facets of the lumbar vertebrae. 36 patients had chronic symptoms; in 7, these were acute, and 12 patients complained of renewed disc symptoms following previous disc surgery. Approximately 4 months after the conclusion of treatment, the patients were requested to complete a questionnaire giving information on the course and after-effects of treatment. The questionnaire was repeated after 5 months.


RESULTS
55% of patients were free of symptoms or had had some improvement at the time of the questionnaire; 30% reported temporary improvement, and in 15% there was no change compared with the pre-treatment symptoms. At the time of the second questionnaire, the proportion of patients who had derived benefit from the treatment was somewhat lower, 49% reported that they were pain-free or improved, while temporary improvement was reported by 36% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
CT-guided periradicular pain therapy is a valuable procedure in patients in whom conservative measures prove ineffective, and when surgery is not indicated. However, only about half the treated patients maintain permanent improvement.
Uhlenbrock
D
D
St.-Josefs-Hospital, Dortmund Radiologische Gemeinschaftspraxis.
Arlinghaus
J
J
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D059408:Pain Management; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D013131:Spine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone