Alexis Chryssostomos Kelekis MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jean-Baptiste Martin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Julia Christodoulidou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elias Broutzos MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Emmanouela Katsouda MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nikos Nassis MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dimitris A Kelekis MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

An independent pain center evaluated blindly, prospectively, spine infiltrations under fluoroscopy in a consecutive group of 42 patients.

During two years, 42 patients were referred for steroid injection under fluoroscopy, with lumbar and sciatic pain, without kinetic impairement. All patients included had per os anti-inflamatory drugs for 2 weeks prior treatment without any benefit. Imaging consisted of CT and MR prior to injection.4/42 patients had tried blind steroid injections in other centers before imaging guided treatment. Lumbar infiltrations were performed in 39 cases and cervical in 3 cases. They consisted of either a posterior articular facet or a foraminal injection, under fluoroscopy and were performed either in the same session or consecutively (one week interval between injections) but no more than two per procedure (maximum three sessions per year). All patient completed a questionnaire during interview, already validated in prior studies for local population. It was related to pain, mobility and drug use, prior and every two months post treatment.

The independent pain centre blindly interviewed all patients. Average pain relief was of 6,46/10 units (mean follow up: 9,5 months), with more than 7/10 units in 25/42 patients. Two patient showed little pain relief (only 2/10 unit). All patients achieved pain medication reduction and mobility improvement. MR and CT imaging did not always show a disco-radicular conflict. Total analgesic medication withdrawal was possible in 33/42 patients (78,6%). All four patients infiltrated at other centers without imaging guidance, considered the image guided treatement as more effective. All patients appreciated the alternative to standard treatment (medication and/or surgery). No complications were noted.

A prospective blind follow -up from an independent pain centre, identified spine corticoid infiltrations under fluoroscopy, as an effective alternative technique to oral drug therapy, and/or surgical treatment.

Kelekis, A, Martin, J, Christodoulidou, J, Broutzos, E, Katsouda, E, Nassis, N, Kelekis, D, et al, , Prospective Pain and Mobility Evaluation Post Fluoroscopically-Induced Infiltrations: A Two Year Follow-up Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4407970.html