The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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CT Guided Cervical Transforaminal Steroid Injection: 2 Months Follow-up

CT 유도하 경추부위 경추간공 경막외 스테로이드주입술: 2개월 경과관찰

  • Kim, Hoondo (Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gimpo Airport Wooridul Spine Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Sang Ho (Departments of Neurosurgery, Gimpo Airport Wooridul Spine Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Myung-Ho (Departments of Radiology, Gimpo Airport Wooridul Spine Hospital)
  • 김훈도 (김포공항 우리들병원 마취통증의학과) ;
  • 이상호 (김포공항 우리들병원 신경외과) ;
  • 김명호 (김포공항 우리들병원 방사선과)
  • Received : 2005.09.16
  • Accepted : 2006.03.03
  • Published : 2006.06.30
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Abstract

Background: A cervical transforaminal steroid injection is an effective therapeutic modality for radiculopathy of a herniated cervical disc or a cervical foraminal stenosis. However, there is some debate regarding the safety of the transforaminal approach under C-arm guidance compared with the posterior interlaminar approach. We report a new technique for cervical transforaminal steroid injection guided by MDCT. Methods: Patients presenting with radiating pain on their shoulder or arm were diagnosed using CT or MRI of a cervical herniated disc or a foraminal stenosis. Each patient whose symptoms were compatible with the image scan was enrolled in this study. They received a cervical transforaminal steroid injection under CT guidance, and the effectiveness and complications of this technique were evaluated over a 2-month period. Results: According to the CT scan, none of the participants had an internal jugular vein or a carotid artery invasion during the procedure. No vertebral artery injection was noted, and no patient developed a hematoma after the injection. The VAS score had improved significantly by 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the injection. Conclusions: While a conventional C-arm guided cervical transforaminal steroid injection does not appear to differentiate between the major vessels and structures in images, a CT guided approach is a more useful and safer technique for the precise placement of a needle.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 우리들 의료재단

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