[Intradiscal electrothermal treatment combined with epidural steroid injection for discogenic lumbago-leg pain].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of intradiscal electrothermal treatment (IDET) combined with epidural steroid injection for discogenic lumbago-leg pain.


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients with discogenic lower back pain and radical pain underwent IDET and CT guided spinal cord epidural steroid injection (Limethason). Thirty-eight patients with discogenic lower back pain and radical pain underwent IDET only. The clinical efficacy was observed within 1 week, 1 week-1 month, 1 - 3 months, and 3 - 6 months after the treatment.


RESULTS
The efficacy rates within 1 week, 1 week-1 month, 1 - 3 months, and 3 - 6 months after the treatment of the IDET plus epidural steroid injection group were 71%, 55%, 81%, and 89% respectively, and those of the IDET only group were 55%, 34%, 76% and 87% respectively. The efficacy rate 1 week-1 month postoperatively of the IDET plus epidural steroid injection group was significantly higher than that of the IDET only group (chi(2) = 4.375, P < 0.05), and the efficacy rates at other time points were not significantly different between these 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
IDET combined with epidural steroid injection relieves post-IDET edema and induces pain more effectively.
Chen
Wei
W
Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital Luwan Branch, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200020, China.
Tong
Guo-hai
GH
Wu
Chao-xian
CX
Zhao
Huan
H
Chen
Ke-min
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone