1
|
Joo HJ, Choi S, Kim BH, Kim MS, Shim GY, Chung SJ, Chon J, Yoo MC, Soh Y. Therapeutic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Selective Nerve Block on Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1002. [PMID: 38929619 PMCID: PMC11205526 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60061002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) manifests as pain and sensorimotor disturbances in the upper extremities, often resulting from nerve root compression due to intervertebral disc herniation, degenerative changes, or trauma. While conservative treatments are initially preferred, persistent or severe cases may require surgical intervention. Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) has emerged as a promising intervention for alleviating symptoms and potentially obviating the need for surgery. This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound-guided SNRB in managing chronic CR, aiming to determine its potential in symptom relief and delaying or avoiding surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 720 outpatients treated for CR between October 2019 and March 2022. After excluding patients with traumatic CR, previous surgeries, malignancies, progressive neurological symptoms requiring immediate surgery, or inadequate conservative treatment, 92 patients who had experienced cervical radicular pain for more than three months and had failed to improve after more than six weeks of conservative treatment with VAS scores ≥ 5 were included. The patients underwent single or multiple ultrasound-guided SNRB procedures, involving the injection of dexamethasone and lidocaine under real-time ultrasound guidance. Symptom severity was assessed at the baseline, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-procedure using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The data collected included age, sex, presence of neck and/or radicular pain, physical examination findings, recurrence of symptoms, improvement in symptoms, and whether surgical intervention was ultimately required. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with symptom improvement or recurrence. Results: Significant symptom improvement was observed in 69 (75.0%) participants post-SNRB, with 55 (79.7%) showing improvement at 4 weeks, 11 (15.9%) at 8 weeks, and 3 (4.4%) at 12 weeks. Symptom recurrence, defined by an increase in VAS score accompanied by a pain flare lasting at least 24 h after a pain-free interval of at least one month, was noted in 48 (52.2%) patients. The presence of combined neck and radicular pain was a significant predictor of recurrence (p = 0.008). No significant associations were found between symptom relief and factors such as age, gender, initial pain severity, or MRI findings. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided SNRB effectively manages chronic CR, providing substantial symptom relief and potentially reducing the need for surgical intervention. This technique offers a promising conservative treatment option, especially given its real-time visualization advantages and minimal radiation exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jin Joo
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Seongmin Choi
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung Hoon Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Min-Su Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Ga Yang Shim
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Joon Chung
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Jinmann Chon
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Chul Yoo
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunsoo Soh
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (H.J.J.); (S.C.); (G.Y.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nagata K, Tozawa K, Miyahara J, Ito Y, Nakamoto H, Nakajima K, Kato S, Doi T, Taniguchi Y, Matsubayashi Y, Tanaka S, Oshima Y. Association Between Preoperative Neuropathic Pain and Patient Reported Outcome Measures After Cervical Spinal Cord Decompression Surgery. Global Spine J 2024; 14:411-419. [PMID: 35713320 PMCID: PMC10802550 DOI: 10.1177/21925682221109560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A prospective observational study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact on surgical outcomes of preoperative neuropathic pain (NeP) assessed by the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) administered to participants undergoing cervical decompression surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). METHODS Participating patients were separated into the Non-NeP group (preoperative PDQ score ≤ 12), and NeP group (score ≥ 13). They were asked to complete a booklet questionnaire, including NRS for pain, the Short Form-12 for PCS and MCS, EQ-5D, NDI, and COMI-Neck, at baseline and 1 year after surgery. The JOA score for DCM and radiological changes were also evaluated. Propensity scores were used for the generalized linear model to adjust the patients' backgrounds. RESULTS Of the 116 patients recruited, 105 completed the one-year follow-up. In this study, 31 (29.5%) and 74 (70.5%) patients in the NeP and non-NeP groups, respectively, were compared. Except for the higher female ratio in the NeP group (64.6% vs 33.2%, P = .009), preoperative demographic data and surgical factors were not significantly different between both groups. The NeP group showed greater neck/arm/hand NRS scores and worse pre- and postoperative NDI/EQ-5D/COMI-Neck scores at baseline and 1 year after surgery, but this was not significant in the MCS/PCS and JOA scores. Change scores of neck/arm/hand NRS scores and MCS/PCS/NDI/EQ-5D/COMI-Neck scores were not significant between both groups. CONCLUSIONS The preoperative NeP, assessed by PDQ, was observed in approximately 30% of patients with DCM who underwent decompression surgery. The presence of NeP was associated with worse pre- and postoperative NDI/EQ-5D/COMI-Neck scores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Nagata
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Tozawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junya Miyahara
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Nakamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Nakajima
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - So Kato
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Doi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Taniguchi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Matsubayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakae Tanaka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Oshima
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Thomson S, Ainsworth G, Selvanathan S, Kelly R, Collier H, Mujica-Mota R, Talbot R, Brown ST, Croft J, Rousseau N, Higham R, Al-Tamimi Y, Buxton N, Carleton-Bland N, Gledhill M, Halstead V, Hutchinson P, Meacock J, Mukerji N, Pal D, Vargas-Palacios A, Prasad A, Wilby M, Stocken D. Posterior cervical foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy for Cervical Brachialgia: the FORVAD RCT. Health Technol Assess 2023; 27:1-228. [PMID: 37929307 PMCID: PMC10641711 DOI: 10.3310/otoh7720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Posterior cervical foraminotomy and anterior cervical discectomy are routinely used operations to treat cervical brachialgia, although definitive evidence supporting superiority of either is lacking. Objective The primary objective was to investigate whether or not posterior cervical foraminotomy is superior to anterior cervical discectomy in improving clinical outcome. Design This was a Phase III, unblinded, prospective, United Kingdom multicentre, parallel-group, individually randomised controlled superiority trial comparing posterior cervical foraminotomy with anterior cervical discectomy. A rapid qualitative study was conducted during the close-down phase, involving remote semistructured interviews with trial participants and health-care professionals. Setting National Health Service trusts. Participants Patients with symptomatic unilateral cervical brachialgia for at least 6 weeks. Interventions Participants were randomised to receive posterior cervical foraminotomy or anterior cervical discectomy. Allocation was not blinded to participants, medical staff or trial staff. Health-care use from providing the initial surgical intervention to hospital discharge was measured and valued using national cost data. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was clinical outcome, as measured by patient-reported Neck Disability Index score 52 weeks post operation. Secondary outcome measures included complications, reoperations and restricted American Spinal Injury Association score over 6 weeks post operation, and patient-reported Eating Assessment Tool-10 items, Glasgow-Edinburgh Throat Scale, Voice Handicap Index-10 items, PainDETECT and Numerical Rating Scales for neck and upper-limb pain over 52 weeks post operation. Results The target recruitment was 252 participants. Owing to slow accrual, the trial closed after randomising 23 participants from 11 hospitals. The qualitative substudy found that there was support and enthusiasm for the posterior cervical FORaminotomy Versus Anterior cervical Discectomy in the treatment of cervical brachialgia trial and randomised clinical trials in this area. However, clinical equipoise appears to have been an issue for sites and individual surgeons. Randomisation on the day of surgery and processes for screening and approaching participants were also crucial factors in some centres. The median Neck Disability Index scores at baseline (pre surgery) and at 52 weeks was 44.0 (interquartile range 36.0-62.0 weeks) and 25.3 weeks (interquartile range 20.0-42.0 weeks), respectively, in the posterior cervical foraminotomy group (n = 14), and 35.6 weeks (interquartile range 34.0-44.0 weeks) and 45.0 weeks (interquartile range 20.0-57.0 weeks), respectively, in the anterior cervical discectomy group (n = 9). Scores appeared to reduce (i.e. improve) in the posterior cervical foraminotomy group, but not in the anterior cervical discectomy group. The median Eating Assessment Tool-10 items score for swallowing was higher (worse) after anterior cervical discectomy (13.5) than after posterior cervical foraminotomy (0) on day 1, but not at other time points, whereas the median Glasgow-Edinburgh Throat Scale score for globus was higher (worse) after anterior cervical discectomy (15, 7, 6, 6, 2, 2.5) than after posterior cervical foraminotomy (3, 0, 0, 0.5, 0, 0) at all postoperative time points. Five postoperative complications occurred within 6 weeks of surgery, all after anterior cervical discectomy. Neck pain was more severe on day 1 following posterior cervical foraminotomy (Numerical Rating Scale - Neck Pain score 8.5) than at the same time point after anterior cervical discectomy (Numerical Rating Scale - Neck Pain score 7.0). The median health-care costs of providing initial surgical intervention were £2610 for posterior cervical foraminotomy and £4411 for anterior cervical discectomy. Conclusions The data suggest that posterior cervical foraminotomy is associated with better outcomes, fewer complications and lower costs, but the trial recruited slowly and closed early. Consequently, the trial is underpowered and definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Recruitment was impaired by lack of individual equipoise and by concern about randomising on the day of surgery. A large prospective multicentre trial comparing anterior cervical discectomy and posterior cervical foraminotomy in the treatment of cervical brachialgia is still required. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN10133661. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 21. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Thomson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Gemma Ainsworth
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Rachel Kelly
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Howard Collier
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Talbot
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Tess Brown
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Julie Croft
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nikki Rousseau
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ruchi Higham
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Yahia Al-Tamimi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Neil Buxton
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Martin Gledhill
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Peter Hutchinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Meacock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Nitin Mukerji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The James Cook University Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Debasish Pal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Anantharaju Prasad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK
| | - Martin Wilby
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Deborah Stocken
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Peene L, Cohen SP, Brouwer B, James R, Wolff A, Van Boxem K, Van Zundert J. 2. Cervical radicular pain. Pain Pract 2023; 23:800-817. [PMID: 37272250 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cervical radicular pain is pain perceived in the upper limb, caused by irritation or compression of a cervical spine nerve, the roots of the nerve, or both. METHODS The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of cervical radicular pain was retrieved and summarized. RESULTS The diagnosis is made by combining elements from the patient's history, physical examination, and supplementary tests. The Spurling and shoulder abduction tests are the two most common examinations used to identify cervical radicular pain. MRI without contrast, CT scanning, and in some cases plain radiography can all be appropriate imaging techniques for nontraumatic cervical radiculopathy. MRI is recommended prior to interventional treatments. Exercise with or without other treatments can be beneficial. There is scant evidence for the use of paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and neuropathic pain medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants for the treatment of radicular pain. Acute and subacute cervical radicular pain may respond well to epidural corticosteroid administration, preferentially using an interlaminar approach. By contrast, for chronic cervical radicular pain, the efficacy of epidural corticosteroid administration is limited. In these patients, pulsed radiofrequency treatment adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion may be considered. CONCLUSIONS There is currently no gold standard for the diagnosis of cervical radicular pain. There is scant evidence for the use of medication. Epidural corticosteroid injection and pulsed radiofrequency adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion may be considered. [Correction added on 12 June 2023, after first online publication: The preceding sentence was corrected.].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurens Peene
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Belgium
| | - Steven P Cohen
- Pain Medicine Division, Department of Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Brigitte Brouwer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rathmell James
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Leroy D. Vandam Professor of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andre Wolff
- Department of Anesthesiology, UMCG Pain Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Van Boxem
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Belgium
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Van Zundert
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Belgium
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Holy M, MacDowall A, Sigmundsson FG, Olerud C. Correction to: Operative treatment of cervical radiculopathy: anterior cervical decompression and fusion compared with posterior foraminotomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:667. [PMID: 34587976 PMCID: PMC8479887 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05623-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marek Holy
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Örebro University School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Anna MacDowall
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Freyr Gauti Sigmundsson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Örebro University School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Claes Olerud
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|