Epiduroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool for the Lower Back Pain and/or Leg Pain

No abstract available.

Ultrasound Guided Technique for the Caudal Epidural Injection

No abstract available.

The Comparison of the Result of Epiduroscopic Laser Neural Decompression between FBSS or Not

BACKGROUND: Epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND) has been performed as a treatment tool for chronic refractory low back pain and/or radicular pain. There are some studies about the usefulness of epiduroscopy for post lumbar surgery syndrome, however, few studies about the effectiveness of epiduroscopy for patients without back surgery. We compared the satisfaction of patients who underwent ELND for chronic low back pain and/or radicular pain after back surgery and for the same symptoms without surgery. METHODS: We compared the degree of satisfaction of patients after ELND between who had underwent the lumbar spine surgery and who had not retrospectively by chart reviewing. We divided 39 patients who had received ELND into two groups, one is the group of patients who got the lumbar surgery (group 1), and the other is the group of patients who did not (group 2). Their medical records including age, sex, previous treatment, duration of illness, degree of symptom relief were investigated. We compared each items between two groups. RESULTS: The number of patients in group 1 was 17, and group 2 was 22. In group 1, 16 patients (94.1%) showed more than 'Acceptable', and 19 patients (86.4%) showed more than 'Acceptable' in group 2. There is no significant differences statistically in percentage of patients who showed more than 'Acceptable' in the satisfaction after ELND between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: ELND provided satisfaction (more than 85%) for patients with chronic low back pain and/or leg pain regardless of previous back surgery history.

Are Doctors Exposed to Radiation Even When Wearing Protectors during Fluoroscopic Procedures?

No abstract available.

Survey on the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Korea; Multicenter Study of 1,414 Patients

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a serious complication resulting from herpes zoster infections, and it can impair the quality of life. In order to relieve pain from PHN, various treatments, including pharmacological and interventional methods have been used. However, little information on the recommendations for the interventional treatment of PHN, along with a lack of nation-wide surveys on the current status of PHN treatment exists. This multicenter study is the first survey on the treatment status of PHN in Korea. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were conducted on the entire patients who visited the pain clinics of 11 teaching hospitals from January to December of 2011. Co-morbid disease, affected site of PHN, routes to pain clinic visits, parenteral/topical medications for treatment, drugs used for nerve block, types and frequency of nerve blocks were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 1,414 patients' medical records were reviewed. The most commonly affected site was the thoracic area. The anticonvulsants and interlaminar epidural blocks were the most frequently used pharmacological and interventional methods for PHN treatment. For the interval of epidural block, intervals of 5 or more-weeks were the most popular. The proportion of PHN patients who get information from the mass media or the internet was only 0.8%.The incidence of suspected zoster sine herpete was only 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment methods for PHN vary among hospitals. The establishment of treatment recommendation for PHN treatment is necessary. In addition, public relations activities are required in order to inform the patients of PHN treatments by pain clinicians.

The Survey of the Patient Received the Epiduroscopic Laser Neural Decompression

BACKGROUND: Neuroplasty using a Racz catheter or epiduroscope and percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy are performed as treatment for chronic refractory low back and/or lower extremity pain, but they are limited in that they cannot completely remove the causing pathology. Lately, epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND) has been receiving attention as an alternative treatment, but there are insufficient reports of results. Hence we aimed to investigate and report the data in our hospital. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients were selected who had received ELND via the anterior and posterior epidural approach through the pain clinic in our hospital from March 2011 to July 2012. Their medical records including age, diagnosis, epiduroscopic findings and degree of symptom relief were investigated. The degree of symptom relief following the procedure was categorized into 5 stages of very good (5), good (4), no change (3), bad (2), and very bad (1) at 2 weeks and 1 month after the procedure. RESULTS: The subjects were 30 males and 47 females. Mean age was 54.6 for males and 59.6 for females, so the overall mean age was 58.1 years old, with the youngest being 23 and the oldest 88 years old. In epiduroscopic images of all patients, more than one situation of herniated disc, fibrous tissue and adhesion, or inflammation was observed. Sixty-seven patients (87.0%) showed symptom relief 2 weeks after the procedure and 63 patients (81.8%) showed relief after 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: ELND is considered to be an effective treatment alternative for chronic refractory low back and/or lower extremity pain, including lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome which cannot be alleviated with existing non-invasive conservative treatment.

Approach for Epiduroscopic Laser Neural Decompression in Case of the Sacral Canal Stenosis

Epiduroscopy is very useful in the treatment of not only low back pain caused by failed back surgery syndrome, epidural scar or herniated disc but also by chronic refractory low back pain which does not respond to interventional conservative treatment including fluoroscopically-directed epidural steroid injections and percutaneous adhesiolysis. Because cauterization using a laser fiber has become recently available, a wider opening is required to enter into the sacral canal in the case of epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND). However, in a few patients, it is difficult to insert a device into the epidural space due to stenosis around the opening, and there is no alternative method. Herein, we report a case where a hiatus rasp specially designed for such patients was used to perform the operation.

Abdominal distention and constipation followed by herpes zoster infection / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

The Correlation between Caudal Epidurogram and Low Back Pain

BACKGROUND: The common causes of lower back pain with or without leg pain includes disk disease and spinal stenosis. A definitive diagnosis is usually made by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but treatment is often difficult because the MRI findings are not consistent with the symptoms of the patient in many cases. The objective of this study was to observe the correlation between the patterns of epidurography performed in patients having lower back pain with or without leg pain and the position or severity of the pain as subjectively described by the patients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 69 outpatients with lower back pain with or without leg pain who visited our clinic and complained of predominant pain on one side. We performed caudal epidural block using an image intensifier. A mixture of the therapeutic drug and the contrast agent (10 ml) was injected to observe the contrast flow pattern. The patients who complained of predominant pain on one side were divided into the left side group and the right side group. A judgment of inconsistency was made if the contrast agent flowed to the side of the pain, while a judgment of consistency was made if the contrast agent flowed to the opposite side of the pain. The degree of the drug distribution was evaluated by counting the number of cells to which the contrast agent's flowed for evaluating the correlation between the contrasted cell and the severity of pain (one group or = VAS 8) the degree of the contrast agent's contrast was evaluated by dividing and counting an image into 15 cells (the left, right, and middle sections at each level of L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3). RESULTS: Thirty out of the 69 patients who had laterality in pain, that is, those who complained of predominant pain on one side, showed that the laterality of the pain and the contrast agent flow was consistent, while 39 patients showed that the laterality was inconsistent (P: 0.137). The evaluation of the correlation between the pain and the contrast agent flow showed that the mean number of contrasted cells was 9.0 +/- 2.2 for the 46 patients in the group with a VAS of 7 or lower and 6.5 +/- 2.0 for the 23 patients in the group with a VAS of 8 or higher, indicating that the former group showed a significantly greater number of contrasted cells (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study, conducted with patients having lower back pain with or without leg pain, showed that the contrast flow pattern of caudal epidurography had a significant correlation with the severity of the pain but not with the laterality of the pain.

Neuroplasty

No abstract available.

Comparision of remifentanil and remifentanil/midazolam for outpatient anesthesia in prolotherapy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Prolotherapy is a therapeutic procedure used for chronic musculoskeletal and arthritic pain. It involves injecting an irritant solution to pain sites and causes patient discomfort, which can lead to treatment discontinuation. Remifentanil is an ultra short-acting micro-opiate receptor agonist that permits a rapid transition from intense analgesia to a minimal residual effect. Here, we evaluated the effect of remifentanil as a preparative medication for ambulatory prolotherapy. METHODS: Eighty patients taking prolotherapy were assigned into three groups for pre-therapeutic injections: remifentanil 0.1 microgram/kg/min alone (Group R), remifentanil 0.05 microgram/kg/min with midazolam 2 mg (Group M), and normal saline (Group C). Pain and sedation scores, blood pressure, pulse oxygen saturation, heart rate, satisfaction score, and time to discharge were measured. RESULTS: Pain scores in groups M and R were lower than group C during and after prolotherapy. The sedation score of group M was higher than groups R and C. Nine patients in group R experienced dizziness during prolotherapy. In group M, 8 patients experienced dizziness and 2 patients experienced nausea. There was no difference in time to discharge among all groups. Satisfaction scores in group M (7.3 +/- 0.8) and group R (7.0 +/- 0.8) were higher than that of group C (5.3 +/- 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil and remifentanil/midazolam effectively reduce the pain produced by prolotherapy.

Spontaneous Regression of a Radiculopathic Cervical Herniated Disc following Non-surgical Treatment: 3 case reports / 대한통증학회지

The spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs is not a well established phenomenon. However, we encountered the 3 cases of spontaneous regression of severe radiculopathic herniated cervical discs that were treated using a non-surgical method. Each of the patients were treated with a combination of manipulation, dry needling and analgesics. In each case, the symptoms improved within 12 months of treatment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted at that time revealed marked regression of the herniated disc in all cases. These cases provide additional examples of spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs documented by MRI following non-surgical treatment.

Continuous Femoral Nerve Block Guided by Ultrasound Sonography in Metastatic Cancer Patient: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Terminal cancer pain is always a challenge to pain doctors.If the focus of the cancer pain is located in the restricted area, it is easy to control the pain. However, if the focus of cancer pain is widespread, it is very difficult to control the pain and it makes pain doctors embarrassed.Nowadays, the ultrasound-guided nerve block become a popular method. It is easy to find the nerve and helps to insert the catheter around the nerve for the continuous nerve block. We encountered a patient who was 59 years old with a stomach cancer and vertebral metastasis. He complained about the pain in his abdomen, back and left thigh. His abdominal and back pain vanished with the use of continuous lumbar epidural injection. However, the patient still complained about the pain and numbness on the left thigh, because of this, he couldn't get any sleep.We tried a continuous femoral nerve block under the ultrasound guidance, after that his pain was gone.The ultrasound-guided nerve block will be very helpful to control the pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sacral Asymlocation in Back Pain Patients: Clinical Application of Prolotherapy / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the role and effects of prolotherapy in patients presenting with lower back pain and detected sacral asymlocation, by retrospectively analyzing the results of prolotherapy performed at our institute. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with referred pain in the lower back rather than distinct radiculopathy, were detected to have sacral asymlocation by simple X-ray from May 2004 through July 2005. The patients were treated with prolotherapy and manipulation by the Ongley's method around the lumbosacral junction, iliolumbar ligament, and sacroiliac joint. They were treated for approximately one to two week intervals, and during this period were rechecked by X-ray and evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in the study (10 male and 13 female), and the average age was 41 years. The average VAS at the time of visit was 8.5, the average treatment time was 4.7 days, and the average VAS after treatment was 2.1. CONCLUSIONS: Back pain, and associated leg and buttock pain, originate from several causes. In these case analyses, instability around the lumbosacral area and sacral asymlocation might have been important causes of patient back pain and associated buttock and leg pain. We therefore applied prolotherapy as well as manipulation techniques devised by Ongley to these patients, and obtained good results.

Infectious Spondylitis following Kyphoplasty: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are well-known, useful techniques for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Although the risk associated with these procedures is low, serious complications can occur. Of these complications, infection is even rarer, however, when it does occur, it is difficult to manage and can become life-threatening. We describe here a case of infectious spondylitis with epidural inflammation that occurred after performing kyphoplasty in a patient who had a thoracic vertebra compression fracture. We reviewed other case and literatures. Extreme asepsis of the operating theater, screening and treatment for systemic infection prior to the procedure, as well as the use of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis are strongly recommended when conducting kyphoplasty to prevent infection.

A Comparison of the Spread Level of the Cervical Epidural Block in Terms of Volume / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Cervical epidural injection, performed via the interlaminar approach, represents a useful interventional pain management procedure indicated in patients with a cervical herniated disk. Due to thedecreased epidural space in the cervical region, cervical epidural injections may result in potentially serious complications, especially during a large volume injection. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with neck pain due to a cervical herniated disk that were referred to the pain clinic for cervical epidural steroid injection were randomized into two groups. One group received a cervical epidural injection of 4 ml drug and the other group received 2 ml drug. The injected mixture included triamcinolon, ropivacaine and omnipaque. Spread levels of the drug after injection were estimated with the use of C-arm fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Spread levels to the cephalad for patients in the two groups were 4.88 +/- 0.78 segments and 4.53 +/- 0.49 segments, respectively. Spread levels to the caudad for patients in the two groups were 4.59 +/- 0.93 segments and 4.47 +/- 0.51 segments, respectively. The results showed no significant difference in the spread level between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a small volume of drug (2 ml) can provide a sufficient spread level of the injected drug that is desirable for patients with a cervical herniated disk.

An Analysis of Infection-Related Complications after Epidural Block / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been an increasing number of reports about infection-related complications after epidural block, and the analysis of these previous reports may offer valuable information for the prevention and treatment of such complications. METHODS: We searched for complications about infection that was related to epidural blockade procedures by using the Medline Search program. We analyzed the types of infection-related complications as well as the potential risk factors, the time course from symptom development to treatment, the causative organisms and the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen cases were identified. The types of complications were epidural abscess, subdural abscess, spinal arachnoiditis, bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis. Five patients received a single block and twelve patients received a continuous block with catheterization. The most common site of epidural catheterization was the lumbar area and eight patients had indwelling catheters for less than fifteen days. Eight patients had a diabetes mellitus as a risk factor and fourteen patients showed less than seven days from the development of symptoms to treatment. Eleven patients received laminectomy and intravenous antibiotics as a treatment and eight patients had full recovery without neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for the favorable outcome of infection-related complication after epidural block. In addition, absolute sterile technique should always be performed and patient education concerning these potential complications must be accompanied.

The Experience of the Treatment of Scapular and Midback Pain in a Patient with Gall Bladder Cancer: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Gall bladder cancer is a very rare disease but most common in the biliary system. It has a poor prognosis because it is usually detected at an advanced stage due to no specific symptoms. So sometimes all that is needed is a proper pain control. It is important to remember that newly developed pain area can be a referred pain due to a cancer. We present a patient with a gall bladder cancer who suffered from right scapular and paravertebral pain. For his pain relief, we tried celiac plexus block and his pain was dramatically relieved.

The Sedation Anesthesia for Prolotherapy and Intramuscular Stimulation / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Painful experiences during procedures such as prolotherapy and intramuscular stimulation are stressful to patients and can affect the treatment outcome. We present a method for relieving pain and increasing the level of patient comfort during the procedure. METHODS: Twenty six patients who requested sedation anesthesia during the procedure were examined. All patients were injected with 500 ml of 0.9% normal saline and were monitored by electrocardiography, blood pressure and pulse oximetry. The patients were supplied with oxygen (3 L/min) through a nasal cannula. Midazolam (0.02 mg/kg) and alfentanil (8 microgram/kg) was injected before the procedure and a bolus injection was administered during the procedure if patients felt any pain. The duration of the procedure, the total amount of drugs, the changes in the systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, sedation and pain level during procedure, satisfaction scale after the procedure, complications and the incidence of amnesia were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty one patients had a moderate level of sedation, 15 patients did not feel any pain during the procedure, 17 patients had high level of satisfaction (8-10). No patient experienced complications after the procedure, or unstable vital signs, and 6 patients could not remember the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation anesthesia is a safe method for relieving pain during the procedure, and most patients had a high level of satisfaction.

A Survey on Clinical Characteristics of Patients Visiting Pain Clinics / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Recently, the number of patients visiting pain clinics has been increasing with the augmented concerns of those patients about the management of their pain. We conducted this study in order to elucidate the characteristics of patients visiting pain clinics and to determine a method to further raise their awareness about pain treatment. METHODS: We reviewed 1, 424 new patients who visited our pain clinic from March 2003 to December 2004. We analyzed these patients according to their age and sex, treatment method before visiting the pain clinic, coexisting disease, chief complaint and pain location, resident district, route of visiting pain clinic, and degree of impairment due to pain by use of questionnaire. RESULTS: In age distribution, the largest proportion (23.5%) was in their 50's. Most patients (64.0%) had received treatment in an oriental medicine clinic before visiting the pain clinic. The most common coexisting disease was hypertension (20.3%) and low back pain was the most common chief complaint (68.3%). Most of the patients lived in Gyeonggido (87%) and most visited our pain clinic on the recommendation of other patients who had visited our pain clinic before. CONCLUSIONS: We need to guide pain patients to undergo proper treatment much earlier using patient education or a referral system. Moreover, we should be more careful in patients with diabetes mellitus, and should have greater concern in the treatment of low back pain.