Intradiscal corticosteroid injections in spondylotic cervical radiculopathy

Eur Radiol. 2007 May;17(5):1156-61. doi: 10.1007/s00330-006-0416-x. Epub 2006 Oct 12.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes with intradiscal injection of corticosteroids (IDIC) in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Twenty consecutive patients were treated with intradiscal injection of 25 mg of acetate of prednisolone under fluoroscopic control. All patients had previously received a nonsurgical treatment for at least 3 months without success. Outcomes were assessed 1, 3 and 6 months after IDIC. Radicular pain reduction as scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS 100-mm length) was statistically significant at 1 month (19.0+/-28.0 mm; p=0.008), 3 months (25.2+/-27.5 mm; p=0.002), and 6 months (24.6+/-28.4 mm; p=0.001). In all, 40% of treated patients described at least 50% pain improvement 6 months after treatment. Four patients had complete relief of radicular pain. In conclusion, IDIC should be an alternative in the nonsurgical management of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / diagnosis
  • Neck Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Radiculopathy / diagnosis
  • Radiculopathy / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spondylarthropathies / diagnosis
  • Spondylarthropathies / drug therapy*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triiodobenzoic Acids

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Triiodobenzoic Acids
  • Prednisolone
  • iodixanol