Size and aggregation of corticosteroids used for epidural injections

Safe Use of Epidural Corticosteroid Injections: Recommendations of the WIP Benelux Work Group

BACKGROUND

Epidural corticosteroid injections are used frequently worldwide in the treatment of radicular pain. Concerns have arisen involving rare major neurologic injuries after this treatment. Recommendations to prevent these complications have been published, but local implementation is not always feasible due to local circumstances, necessitating local recommendations based on literature review.

METHODS

A work group of 4 stakeholder pain societies in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux) has reviewed the literature involving neurological complications after epidural corticosteroid injections and possible safety measures to prevent these major neurologic injuries.

RESULTS

Twenty-six considerations and recommendations were selected by the work group. These involve the use of imaging, injection equipment particulate and nonparticulate corticosteroids, epidural approach, and maximal volume to be injected.

CONCLUSION

Raising awareness about possible neurological complications and adoption of safety measures recommended by the work group aim at reducing the risks for these devastating events.

Lumbar Epidural Corticosteroid Injection Reduces Subacute Pain and Improves Knee Function in the First Six Weeks After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Double-Blinded Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Pain control immediately following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been a focus for orthopaedists. However, control of subacute pain, which may persist up to 3 months, is usually not optimized. The efficacy of epidural corticosteroids in reducing pain after surgery is documented, but data on their efficacy in controlling subacute pain after TKA are lacking. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of an epidural corticosteroid in controlling pain in the first 3 months following TKA using a double-blinded randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

One hundred and eight patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent TKA and received analgesic drugs through an epidural catheter for 48 hours were randomized to receive either 40 mg (1 mL) of triamcinolone acetonide plus 5 mL of 1% lidocaine, or 6 mL of 1% lidocaine alone before catheter removal. The outcomes of interest were pain level during motion and at rest, knee function, and range of motion, which were recorded up to 3 months after surgery. Multilevel regression models were used to estimate the differences between groups.

RESULTS

The corticosteroid + lidocaine group had a lower average level of pain during motion compared with the lidocaine-only group, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS), from day 3 to 7 weeks postoperatively (p < 0.05). At 7 weeks, the mean difference was -7 points (95% confidence interval [CI], -12.8 to -1.0 points; p = 0.033). The corticosteroid + lidocaine group also had a better mean overall modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score at 6 weeks postoperatively (28 compared with 33 points; 95% CI, -8.6 to -0.6 points; p = 0.03). There was no difference between the groups in the level of pain at rest and knee range of motion during the 3-month period (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar epidural corticosteroid injection reduced pain during motion for 7 weeks and provided better knee function at 6 weeks postoperatively compared with lidocaine alone. There was no difference detected with respect to pain at rest and knee range of motion during the 3-month follow-up. Epidural corticosteroids could improve patient satisfaction during the early weeks of recovery after TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Caudal and intravenous dexamethasone as an adjuvant to pediatric caudal block: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dexamethasone has become a popular additive for regional anesthesia. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of this additive on the duration of postoperative analgesia, postoperative vomiting, and possible adverse events in pediatrics.

METHODS

We searched databases, conference records, and registered trials for randomized controlled trials. The databases included the Cochrane Library, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Science-Direct, and Embase. Odds ratio, weighted mean difference, and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the REVMAN software, version 5.3, for data synthesis and statistical analysis, which following the PRISMA statement. The main outcomes were duration of postoperative analgesia (time from the end of surgery to first administration of analgesics as evidenced by a pain score) and postoperative vomiting.

RESULTS

Seven studies were selected for this meta-analysis, involving 647 pediatric patients. All the patients were randomized to receive caudal or intravenous dexamethasone with caudal block (experimental group) or plain caudal block (control group). There was significantly longer duration of postoperative analgesia in the experimental group compared with control group (weighted mean difference: 238.40 minutes; 95% CI: 193.41-283.40; P < .00001). The experimental group had fewer patients who needed analgesics after surgery (odds ratio: 0.18 minutes; 95% CI: 0.05-0.66; P = .009). Additionally, the number of subjects who remained pain-free to 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after operation was significantly greater in the experimental group than control group. Side effects in these 2 groups were comparable (odds ratio: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.34-2.56; P = .90). The incidence of postoperative vomiting was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with control group (odds ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.63; P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Caudal and intravenous dexamethasone could provide longer duration of postoperative analgesia and reduced the incidence of postoperative vomiting with comparable adverse effects than plain caudal block. However, any additive to the caudal space carries with it the potential for neurotoxicity and that caution should always be exercised when weighting the risks and benefits of any additive. The result was influenced by small numbers of participants and significant heterogeneity.

Spinal cord infarction caused by sacral canal epidural steroid injection: A case report

RATIONALE

Spinal cord infarction is one of the complications of epidural steroid injections (ESIs), but has only been reported in cervical vertebra by transforaminal injection and lumbar vertebra by transforaminal injection; and up to now, there is no reporting about spinal cord infarction caused by caudal injection. Here, we report a case.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital. He was diagnosed as lumbar disc herniation in other hospital, and the patient suffered bilateral lower limb motor and sensory disorders after administration of caudal ESI.

DIAGNOSIS

Spinal cord infarction, tethered cord syndrome (TCS), and acute myelitis.

INTERVENTIONS

High doses of hormones, gamma globulin impact therapy, and rehabilitation were performed.

OUTCOMES

The patient's condition was stable when he discharged from the hospital after 20 days of treatment. Discharge status: grade 0 of bilateral lower limbs muscle strength, inability to urinate and defecate by himself, slightly decreased touch, and needling sensation below the umbilical plane.

LESSONS

When patients are diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and need to receive invasive treatments, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed before the invasive procedures.

Polyamidoamine dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide attenuates nerve injury-induced spinal cord microglia activation and mechanical allodynia

Background

Accumulating evidence on the causal role of spinal cord microglia activation in the development of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury suggests that microglial activation inhibitors might be useful analgesics for neuropathic pain. Studies also have shown that polyamidoamine dendrimer may function as a drug delivery vehicle to microglia in the central nervous system. In this regard, we developed polyamidoamine dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide, a previously identified microglial activation inhibitor, and tested its analgesic efficacy in a mouse peripheral nerve injury model.

Result

Polyamidoamine dendrimer was delivered selectively to spinal cord microglia upon intrathecal administration. Dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide inhibited lipoteichoic acid-induced proinflammatory gene expression in primary glial cells. In addition, dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide administration (intrathecal) inhibited peripheral nerve injury-induced spinal cord microglial activation and the expression of pain-related genes in the spinal cord, including Nox2, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide administration right after nerve injury almost completely reversed peripheral nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia for up to three days. Meanwhile, dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide administration 1.5 days post injury significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that dendrimer-conjugated triamcinolone acetonide inhibits spinal cord microglia activation and attenuates neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury, which has therapeutic implications for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Effectiveness of a multimodal pain management concept for patients with cervical radiculopathy with focus on cervical epidural injections

Cervical radiculopathy has become an increasing problem worldwide. Conservative treatment options have been recommended in many reviews on cervical radiculopathy, ranging from different types of physiotherapy to waiting for remission by natural history. No multimodal pain management concept (MPM) on an inpatient basis has been evaluated. This study aimed at showing the positive short-term effects of an inpatient multimodal pain management concept with focus on cervical translaminar epidural steroid injection for patients with cervical radiculopathy. 54 patients who had undergone inpatient MPM for 10 days were evaluated before and after 10-days treatment. The NRS (0-10) value for arm pain could be reduced from 6.0 (IQR 5.7-6.8) to 2.25 (IQR 2.0-3.1) and from 5.9 (IQR 4.8-6.0) to 2.0 (IQR 1.7-2.6) for neck pain. Neck pain was reduced by 57.4% and arm pain by 62.5%. 2 days after epidural steroid injection, pain was reduced by 40.1% in the neck and by 43.4% in the arms. MPM seems to be an efficient short-term approach to treating cervical radiculopathy. Cervical translaminar epidural steroid injection is an important part of this concept. In the absence of a clear indication for surgery, MPM represents a treatment option.

Spinal Injections for Pain Management

Image-guided spinal injection is commonly performed in symptomatic patients to decrease pain severity, confirm the pain generator, and delay or avoid surgery. This article focuses on the radiologist as spine interventionist and addresses the following four topics relevant to the radiologist who performs corticosteroid injections for pain management: (a) the rationale behind corticosteroid injection, (b) the interaction with patients, (c) the role of imaging in procedural selection and planning, and (d) the pearls and pitfalls of fluoroscopically guided injections. Factors that contribute to the success of a pain management service include communication skills and risk mitigation. A critical factor is the correlation of clinical symptoms with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings. Radiologists can leverage their training in MR image interpretation to distinguish active pain generators in the spine from incidental abnormalities. Knowledge of fluoroscopic anatomy and patterns of contrast material flow guide the planning and execution of safe and effective needle placement. ^© RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Ultrasound versus fluoroscopy-guided cervical medial branch block for the treatment of chronic cervical facet joint pain: a retrospective comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the mid-term effects and advantages of the ultrasound (US)-guided with fluoroscopy(FL)-guided cervical medial branch blocks (CMBBs) for chronic cervical facet joint pain through assessment of pain relief, functional improvement, and injection efficiency.

METHODS

Patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain who received US- (n = 68) or FL-guided CMBBs (n = 58) were included in this retrospective study. All procedures were performed using a FL or US. The complication frequencies, treatment effects, functional improvement, and injection efficiency of CMBBs were compared at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last injection.

RESULTS

Both the NDI and VNS scores showed improvements at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last injection in both groups, with no significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the treatment success rate at all time points was not significantly different between groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the injection method (US- or FL-guided), the number of injections, sex, analgesic use, and age were not independent predictors of treatment success. Compared with FL-guided CMBB, US-guided CMBB was associated with a shorter administration duration and fewer needle passes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that, compared with FL-guided CMBBs, US-guided CMBBs require a shorter administration duration and fewer needle passes, while providing similar pain relief and functional improvements. Therefore, US-guided CMBBs can be considered as an effective alternative for the conservative management of chronic cervical facet joint pain.

Is there a difference in treatment outcomes between epidural injections with particulate versus non-particulate steroids?

OBJECTIVES

To compare the outcomes of patients after interlaminar computed tomography (CT)-guided epidural injections of the lumbar spine with particulate vs. non-particulate steroids.

METHODS

531 consecutive patients were treated with CT-guided lumbar interlaminar epidural injections with steroids and local anaesthetics. 411 patients received a particulate steroid and 120 patients received a non-particulate steroid. Pain levels were assessed using the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) and overall reported 'improvement' was assessed using the Patients Global Impression of Change (PGIC) at 1 day, 1 week and 1 month post-injection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.

RESULTS

Patients receiving particulate steroids had statistically significantly higher NRS change scores (p = 0.0001 at 1 week; p = 0.0001 at 1 month). A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving particulate steroids reported relevant improvement (PGIC) at both 1 week and 1 month post injection (p = 0.0001) and they were significantly less likely to report worsening at 1 week (p = 0.0001) and 1 month (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with particulate steroids had significantly greater pain relief and were much more likely to report clinically relevant overall 'improvement' at 1 week and 1 month compared to the patients treated with non-particulate steroids.

KEY POINTS

• CT-guided epidural injections of the lumbar spine with particulate vs. non-particulate steroids. • Good outcomes with particulate steroids. • Less pain relief in patients with non-particulate steroids. • Less improvement in patients with non-particulate steroids.

Efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone in providing postoperative analgesia: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dexamethasone is a potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiemetic drug. Individual randomized controlled trials found a possible benefit of epidural dexamethasone. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to estimate the benefit of epidural dexamethasone on postoperative pain and opioid consumption and to formulate a recommendation for evidence-based practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing the analgesic efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone combination, with local anesthetic alone for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery, were planned to be included in this meta-analysis. PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Central Register of Clinical Trials of the Cochrane Collaboration (CENTRAL) databases were searched for eligible controlled trials using the following search words: "Epidural", "dexamethasone", and "postoperative pain", until February 20, 2015.

RESULTS

Data from five randomized control trials have been included in this meta-analysis. Epidural dexamethasone significantly decreased postoperative morphine consumption (mean difference -7.89 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -11.66 to -3.71) and number of patients required postoperative rescue analgesic boluses (risk ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.63).

CONCLUSION

The present data shows that the addition of dexamethasone to local anesthetic in epidural is beneficial for postoperative pain management.

Characteristics of particulate and non-particulate corticosteroids. Indications for their use in chronic pain treatments

Corticosteroids been used frequently in pain treatments since the middle of last century (1952). Due to a review of the complications as a result of their application in epidural injections, the United States of America Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an «alert controversy» requesting that a warning label should be added to injectable corticosteroids, where risks must be described (loss of sight, brain damage, paralysis and death) when administering by this route. It must be mentioned that there are different types of corticosteroids with diverse characteristics, which as a result, may produce different side-effects. Due to the aforementioned developments, the controversies that have arisen, and the lack of well-conducted studies on the use of steroids in epidural injections, we must begin by reviewing their indications in different pain conditions.

Crystallization of Local Anesthetics When Mixed With Corticosteroid Solutions

Objective

To evaluate at which pH level various local anesthetics precipitate, and to confirm which combination of corticosteroid and local anesthetic crystallizes.

Methods

Each of ropivacaine-HCl, bupivacaine-HCl, and lidocaine-HCl was mixed with 4 different concentrations of NaOH solutions. Also, each of the three local anesthetics was mixed with the same volume of 3 corticosteroid solutions (triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and betamethasone sodium phosphate). Precipitation of the local anesthetics (or not) was observed, by the naked eye and by microscope. The pH of each solution and the size of the precipitated crystal were measured.

Results

Alkalinized with NaOH to a certain value of pH, local anesthetics precipitated (ropivacaine pH 6.9, bupivacaine pH 7.7, and lidocaine pH 12.9). Precipitation was observed as a cloudy appearance by the naked eye and as the aggregation of small particles (<10 µm) by microscope. The amount of particles and aggregation increased with increased pH. Mixed with betamethasone sodium phosphate, ropivacaine was precipitated in the form of numerous large crystals (>300 µm, pH 7.5). Ropivacaine with dexamethasone sodium phosphate also precipitated, but it was only observable by microscope (a few crystals of 10–100 µm, pH 7.0). Bupivacaine with betamethasone sodium phosphate formed precipitates of non-aggregated smaller particles (<10 µm, pH 7.7). Lidocaine mixed with corticosteroids did not precipitate.

Conclusion

Ropivacaine and bupivacaine can precipitate by alkalinization at a physiological pH, and therefore also produce crystals at a physiological pH when they are mixed with betamethasone sodium phosphate. Thus, the potential risk should be noted for their use in interventions, such as epidural steroid injections.

Acute Cervical Subdural Hematoma with Quadriparesis after Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Block

Cervical epidural steroid injection is frequently used in the conservative management of neck pain and cervical radiculopathy. Epidural cervical transforaminal injections are usually well-tolerated with mild side effects such as transient decreased sensory and motor function, or headache due to dural puncture. Although there are a few case reports about adverse effects of cervical epidural injection in the literature, it can cause severe complications such as large hematoma, infarction by spinal vascular injury. Subdural hematoma has been occurred much less common rather than epidural hematoma in the spinal cord. We report a rare catastrophic case of cervical spinal subdural hematoma with quadriparesis after cervical transforaminal epidural block.

CT-Fluoroscopic Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: Extraforaminal Needle Tip Position Decreases Risk of Intravascular Injection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections are commonly performed for temporary pain relief or diagnostic presurgical planning in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Intravascular injection of steroids during the procedure can potentially result in cord infarct, stroke, and even death. CT-fluoroscopy allows excellent anatomic resolution and precise needle positioning. This study sought to determine the safest needle tip position during CT-guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection as determined by the incidence of intravascular injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated procedural imaging for consecutive single-site CT-fluoroscopic cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection performed during a 13-month period. Intravascular injections were identified and classified by volume, procedure phase, vessel type, and needle tip position relative to the targeted neural foramen. ANOVA, Wilcoxon, or Pearson χ(2) testing was used to assess differences among groups as appropriate.

RESULTS

Intravascular injections occurred in 49/201 (24%) procedures. Of the intravascular injections, 13/49 (27%) were large, 10/49 (20%) were small, and 26/49 (53%) were trace volume. Sixteen of 49 (33%) intravascular injections occurred with a trial contrast dose; 27/49 (55%), with a steroid/analgesic cocktail; and 6/49 (12%), with both. Twenty-seven of 49 (55%) intravascular injections were likely venous, 22/49 (45%) were indeterminate, and none were likely arterial. The intravascular injection rate was significantly lower (P < .001) for the extraforaminal needle position (8/82, 10%) compared with junctional (27/88, 31%) and foraminal (14/31, 45%) needle tip positions.

CONCLUSIONS

An extraforaminal needle position for CT-guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection decreases the risk of intravascular injection and therefore may be safer than other needle tip positions.

Correlation of Foraminal Area and Response to Cervical Nerve Root Injections

Introduction: Patients with age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine leading to cervical spondylosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Older patients with radicular pain tend to have a better response to epidural steroid injections, but it is often difficult to predict which patients will have a positive response to selective nerve root block (SNRB). We analyzed whether the cervical neuroforaminal area measured on MRI predicts immediate therapeutic responses to SNRB in patients who have cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had cervical SNRBs treated at a single tertiary referral center. We recorded patient demographics, the neuroforaminal area of the symptomatic and contralateral sides, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score pre- and post-injection, history of previous cervical surgery, comorbidities, and history of tobacco use.

Results: Sixty-four patients with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy treated with neuroforaminal nerve root injections had appropriate imaging and VAS scores recorded. The average foraminal area of the symptomatic side before treatment was significantly smaller than the contralateral asymptomatic neuroforamen (p<0.0001). Those patients with the smallest neuroforamen had a positive response to SNRB. Diabetes and tobacco use did not influence patient response to treatment.

Conclusions: Measurement of neuroforaminal areas on MRI may represent a useful pre-procedural technique to predict which patients with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy secondary to foraminal stenosis are likely to respond to selective nerve root injections. The predictive ability appears to be limited to those patients with severe stenosis and was less useful in those patients with moderate or mild stenosis.

Safeguards to Prevent Neurologic Complications after Epidural Steroid Injections

Background:

Epidural corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for radicular pain caused by intervertebral disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and other disorders. Although rare, catastrophic neurologic injuries, including stroke and spinal cord injury, have occurred with these injections.

Methods:

A collaboration was undertaken between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Safe Use Initiative, an expert multidisciplinary working group, and 13 specialty stakeholder societies. The goal of this collaboration was to review the existing evidence regarding neurologic complications associated with epidural corticosteroid injections and produce consensus procedural clinical considerations aimed at enhancing the safety of these injections. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Safe Use Initiative representatives helped convene and facilitate meetings without actively participating in the deliberations or decision-making process.

Results:

Seventeen clinical considerations aimed at improving safety were produced by the stakeholder societies. Specific clinical considerations for performing transforaminal and interlaminar injections, including the use of nonparticulate steroid, anatomic considerations, and use of radiographic guidance are given along with the existing scientific evidence for each clinical consideration.

Conclusion:

Adherence to specific recommended practices when performing epidural corticosteroid injections should lead to a reduction in the incidence of neurologic injuries.

Epidural steroid injections: an updated review on recent trends in safety and complications

SUMMARY 

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs), which can provide significant but temporary pain relief in well-selected patients, are the most commonly performed procedure in pain management. The anatomy of the epidural space provides a framework for understanding risks associated with ESIs, a topic relevant to both patients and physicians in interventional pain, surgery and primary care. Safety considerations of epidural steroids include drug preparation and myriad physiological effects stemming from steroid exposure. Although major complications associated with ESI occur rarely, potentially catastrophic events resulting from infectious, hematologic and neurologic morbidity may lead to permanent injury. The safety profile of ESIs may improve with development and dissemination of sound injection technique, safer compounds manufactured in a sterile manner and deficient of thromboembolic potential and the application of existing technology.

Epidural Steroid Injections are Safe and Effective: Multisociety Letter in Support of the Safety and Effectiveness of Epidural Steroid Injections

BACKGROUND

In April 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication requesting that corticosteroid labeling include warnings that injection of corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine may result in rare but serious adverse events, including loss of vision, stroke, paralysis, and death.

RESULTS

The International Spine Intervention Society spearheaded a collaboration of more than a dozen other medical societies in submitting the letter below to the FDA on November 7, 2014. We are publishing the letter to ensure that the readership of Pain Medicine is aware of the multisociety support for the safety and effectiveness of these procedures. A special note of thanks to all of the societies who signed on in support of the message.

Safety of CT-Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Infiltrations. Analysis of a Two-Year Period

Selective nerve root infiltrations are frequently performed in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Computed tomography (CT) is now commonly used for image guidance. Despite the widespread use of CT-guided lumbar nerve root infiltrations few studies have systematically examined the safety of this approach. In a two-year period, 231 lumbar nerve root infiltrations were performed on in-patients and were retrospectively reviewed. No major complications like inflammation (especially spondylodiscitis), large haematomas requiring surgery, severe allergic reactions or spinal ischaemia occurred. In accordance with other published studies, CT-guided lumbar nerve root infiltrations seem to be safe. To minimize the risk of catastrophic neurological complications due to spinal ischaemia, careful needle placement dorsal to the nerve root and the use of a non-particulate corticosteroid, like dexamethasone, are advocated.

The effects of a forceful transforaminal epidural steroid injection on radicular pain: a preliminary study

Background

Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are performed to provide symptom relief in patients with radicular pain. Recent articles suggested that injected volume itself have analgesic effects and higher volumes are associated with better outcomes. To date, few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of volume. Therefore, well-designed controlled studies were necessary to confirm the effect of volume itself on pain relief. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a forceful saline injection on lumbar TFESI using non-particulate steroids.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients with lumbar radicular pain were enrolled. The participants were allocated into one of two groups: dexamethasone with volume (Group DV) and dexamethasone alone (Group DO). The volume was delivered by a forceful injection of 5ml of normal saline. The primary end-point for this study was a VAS pain score and modified MacNab score indicating the rate of effectiveness at the four-week follow-up.

Results

There were no significant post-procedural VAS differences between two groups (P = .252). The effectiveness rate among the patients was 47.8% in DV group, 34.8% in DO group, measured by modified MacNab score. The difference was not statistically significant (P = .117).

Conclusions

A forceful saline injection did not have a significant effect during the treatment of radicular pain. Further studies with greater volumes and with additional techniques would offer a more conclusive perspective.

Analgesia after Epidural Dexamethasone is Further Enhanced by IV Dipyrone, but Not IV Parecoxibe Following Minor Orthopedic Surgery

Background

Epidural administration of dexamethasone has been suggested for pain control after minor orthopedic surgery. This study was conducted to assess its efficacy after such surgery, combined or not to IV dipyrone, IV parecoxibe or their combination.

Methods

91 patients were randomly assigned to seven groups. Patients were submitted to spinal bupivacaine anesthesia combined to epidural administration of either 10 ml saline or 10 mg dexamethasone diluted to 10-ml volume. Patients also received 10 ml IV saline or 1 gr dipyrone and/or 40 mg parecoxibe diluted to 10 ml with saline. Control group (CG) received epidural and IV saline. Dexamethasone group (DexG) received epidural dexamethasone and IV saline. Dipyrone group (DipG) received epidural saline and IV dipyrone. Dex-Dip G received epidural dexamethasone and IV dipyrone. Parecoxibe group (ParG) received epidural saline and IV parecoxibe. Dex-ParG received epidural dexamethasone and IV parecoxibe. Finally, Dex-Dip-ParG received epidural dexamethasone and IV dipyrone plus IV parecoxibe.

Results

The CG expressed 4h of analgesia and sooner requested pain killer. DexG was similar to DipG or ParG or Dex-ParG (7-hours), and they requested less ketoprofen compared to the CG (P < 0.05). However, the Dex-DipG and the Dex-Dip-ParG resulted in longer time to demand pain killer (17-hours) and less ketoprofen consumption in 24-hours (P < 0.002). Adverse effects were similar among groups.

Conclusions

The analgesia secondary to epidural dexamethasone was enhanced by IV dipyrone, while no effects were observed by the addition of IV parecoxibe.

A comparison of the analgesic efficacy of transforaminal methylprednisolone alone and with low doses of clonidine in lumbo-sacral radiculopathy

Background:

Although transforaminal epidural steroid injections under fluoroscopic guidance have become a common mode of treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy due to herniated disc, the efficacy of steroid with low doses of clonidine has not been compared yet.

Objectives:

Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of methylprednisolone alone and with low doses of clonidine for transforaminal injection in lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Study Design:

A randomized, double-blind trial.

Setting:

This study was performed at the Pain Clinic under the Department of Anaesthesiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Methods:

One hundred and eighty ASA grade I and II patients aged between 18 and 55 years were allocated into groups I, II and III to receive methylprednisolone 60 mg alone or methylprednisolone 60 mg with or without low doses of clonidine (0.5 mcg/kg or 1 mcg/kg) as transforaminal epidural injection. Pain relief and patient's satisfaction were evaluated with the global pain scale. Follow-up visits were advised at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks and then at 6 months after injection. Associated complications were recorded.

Results:

Maximum pain relief was observed at 2 weeks after injection in all the three groups, with no difference in complication rate among the three groups. The most common complication observed was paresthesia in the nerve distribution. Greater than 60% improvement in pain scores was seen in 40% of the patients in group I, 50% of the patients in group II and 75% of the patients in group III.

Limitations:

This study is limited by the lack of a placebo group.

Conclusion:

Adding 1 mcg/kg clonidine to 60 mg methylprednisolone in transforaminal epidural injections provided better pain relief than 60 mg methylprednisolone with 0.5 mcg/kg clonidine or 60 mg methylprednisolone alone in patients suffering from lumbosacral radiculopathy, with practically no significant side-effects.

Relationship between bone mineral density and the frequent administration of epidural steroid injections in postmenopausal women with low back pain

BACKGROUND

Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is one of the most common nonsurgical treatments for low back pain. In general, corticosteroid therapy often results in bone loss and osteoporosis. In previous studies, bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated after epidural injections of relatively small numbers and relatively low total doses of corticosteroids. However, the relationship between BMD and multiple ESIs remains to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between BMD and multiple ESIs in postmenopausal women with low back pain.

METHODS

Medical records of postmenopausal women with low back pain treated with or without ESIs were reviewed. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femur after the treatments. A total of 71 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients who had received non-ESI medications; and group 2 included those who had received ESIs >10 times, with a cumulative administered triamcinolone dose >200 mg.

RESULTS

Patients in group 2 showed lower BMD in the femoral neck and total femur. However, no significant intergroup differences in the BMD of the lumbar spine were observed. The prevalences of osteoporosis and osteopenia in the lumbar spine and femoral neck were significantly higher in group 2; these patients also had lower femoral neck BMD Z-scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple ESIs (approximately 14 injections with a cumulative triamcinolone dose of approximately 400 mg) can reduce BMD in postmenopausal women with low back pain.

The effectiveness and risks of fluoroscopically guided cervical transforaminal injections of steroids: a systematic review with comprehensive analysis of the published data

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness and risks of fluoroscopically guided cervical transforaminal injection of corticosteroids in the treatment of radicular pain.

DESIGN

Systematic review of the literature with comprehensive analysis of the published data.

INTERVENTIONS

Three reviewers with formal training in evidence-based medicine searched the literature on fluoroscopically guided cervical transforaminal injection of steroids (CTFIS). Each reviewer independently assessed the methodology of studies found and appraised the quality of the evidence presented.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome assessed was relief of radicular pain. Other outcomes such as reduction in surgery rate and complications were noted if reported. The evidence on each outcome was appraised in accordance with the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system of evaluating evidence.

RESULTS

The searches yielded 16 primary publications on effectiveness. Available evidence, derived mainly from observational studies, suggests that approximately 50% of patients experience 50% relief of radicular pain for at least 4 weeks after CTFIS, and the intervention may have surgery-sparing effects. The literature also contains 21 articles with primary reports of serious complications, including 13 deaths and many catastrophic neurological injuries. The evidence of pain-relieving effects, of surgery-sparing effects, and of risks of CTFIS were all rated as of very low quality according to the GRADE system.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with cervical radicular pain, fluoroscopically guided CTFIS may be effective in easing pain and reducing need for surgery. However, the evidence of effectiveness is of very low quality, and the benefits of the procedure are compromised by the risks of serious complications.