Metabolic and endocrinal effects of epidural glucocorticoid injections

INTRODUCTION@#Epidural steroid injections are an integral part of nonsurgical management of radicular pain from lumbar spine disorders. We studied the effect of dexamethasone 8 mg epidural injections on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and serum glucose control of Asian patients.@*METHODS@#18 patients were recruited: six diabetics and 12 non-diabetics. Each patient received a total of dexamethasone 8 mg mixed with a local anaesthetic solution of lignocaine or bupivacaine, delivered into the epidural space. Levels of plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum glucose after an overnight fast and two-hour postprandial glucose, as well as weight, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate were measured within one week prior to the procedure (baseline) and at one, seven and 21 days after the procedure.@*RESULTS@#Median fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher on post-procedure Day 1 than at baseline. However, there was no significant change in median two-hour postprandial blood glucose from baseline levels. At seven and 21 days, there was no significant difference in fasting or two-hour postprandial glucose levels. Both ACTH and serum cortisol were significantly reduced on Day 1 compared to baseline in all patients. There was no significant difference in ACTH and serum cortisol levels from baseline at Days 7 and 21.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study shows that epidural steroid injections with dexamethasone have a real, albeit limited, side effect on glucose and cortisol homeostasis in an Asian population presenting with lower back pain or sciatica.

INYECCION EPIDURAL DE CORTICOIDES EN EL TRATAMIENTO DEL SINDROME RADICULAR LUMBOSACRO (SRL)

El Síndrome Radicular Lumbosacro (SRL) es una consulta frecuente de dolor neuropático causado por hernias y protrusiones discales o fenómenos degenerativos de la columna lumbosacra. Las técnicas intervencionistas de tratamiento se indican cuando otras terapéuticas no invasivas no alcanzan alivio satisfactorio. Dentro de ellas, las Inyecciones Epidurales de Corticoides (IEC) es una de las más indicadas en nuestro Servicio. No disponemos de guías nacionales para su utilización, basándonos en las recomendaciones internacionales. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión bibliográfica que apoye una guía para la toma de decisiones en cuánto a los aspectos prácticos de las técnicas disponibles, de manera de aplicarlas obteniendo el máximo beneficio posible reduciendo al mínimo sus riesgos. Se discuten las ventajas y desventajas de los abordajes más utilizados para la aplicación de las IEC así como los agentes farmacológicos disponibles para este fin. Finalmente, se realizan recomendaciones en cuanto los cuidados en la prevención de las complicaciones infecciosas de éstas técnicas y de la conducta a tomar en la realización de las IEC en pacientes que reciben anticoagulantes y/o antiagregantes plaquetarios.

Lumbosacral Radicular Syndrome (LRS) is a frequent neuropathic pain due to disc herniation, disc protrusions or degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine. Interventional Pain Management techniques for its treatment are indicated when conservative management fails in provide satisfactory pain relief. Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) are the most frequent procedures performed in our Service for LRS treatment. Since guidelines for its use are lacked in our Country, international recommendations are usually followed. The aim of this article is to perform a literature search to give evidence support to National guidelines related to available Interventional Pain Management techniques for LRS treatment, in order to balance risks and benefits of each technique in the decision making process. Advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches for ESI are discussed and the pharmacologic aspects of the available agents for its use are summarized. Finally, recommendations for infection control practices and ESI management in patients in antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are proposed.

Efficacy of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections According to Nerve Root Enhancement

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injections according to nerve root enhancement in lumbar disc herniations. METHOD: Twenty seven patients who had extruded or seques tered lumbar disc herniations on enhanced MR imaging were investigated: fifteen patients with corresponding nerve root enhancement (enhanced group), and twelve patients without enhancement (non-enhanced group). All patients received transforaminal epidural steroid injection. Clinical outcomes were measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and radicular pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) before treatment and one month after injection. RESULTS: The averages of VAS for lower extremity and back pain in both groups one month after injection significantly reduced compared to that of pretreatment, respectively (p<0.001). The amount of decrease in pain in enhanced group was larger than that of non-enhanced group (p<0.05). The averages of ODI in both group one month after injection significantly reduced compared to that of pretreatment (p<0.0001), however, there was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The nerve root enhancement on contrast-enhanced MR imaging indicates the presence of severe inflammatory reaction of nerve root, which means well-responsiveness to anti-inflammatory treatment such as transforaminal epidural steroid injection, even if patients' symptom is very severe.

Factors associated with the outcome of transforaminal epidural steroid injections / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to assaythe effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for sciatica and to identify potential predictors related to treatment outcome. METHODS: TFESIs were performed in 150 patients between August 2006 and March 2007. Seventy-five patients (35 women, 40 men; mean age, 59.1 years), who met the inclusion criteria, were studied. Therapeutic effects were evaluated twoweeks after injection. The following potential outcome predictors analyzed were as follows: one level vs. two level injection, Beck depression inventory score (20), Beck anxiety inventory score (16), cause of radiculopathy (spinal stenosis vs. herniated disk), gender, duration of radiculopathy (6 months), and Oswestry disability index score (60). The relationships between possible outcome predictors and therapeutic effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 75 patients (65.3%) had a satisfactory result two weeks after TFESIs. Of these, twenty-four of the 46 patients (52.2%) were treated by a one level injection and 25 (89.3%) of the 29 patients were treated by a two level injection. This outcome was statistically significant (P < 0.01). None of the other potential outcome predictors showed any statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: TFESI is recommended as an effective method of managing radiculopathy. Two-level injectionsmay result in a better outcome than a one-level injection.

An Analysis of the Outcome of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients with Spinal Stenosis or Herniated Intervertebral Discs / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs are the principal causes of lumbosacral radiculopathy. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic value and duration of pain relief of fluoroscopic guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in patients with refractory radicular leg pain. METHODS: Between August 2006 and March 2007, 87 patients (H group: patients with herniated intervertebral disc, S group: patients with spinal stenosis) who met the inclusion criteria were treated with fluoroscopic guided TFESIs. Prior to treatment, the VAS and ODI scores were determine to evaluate the degree of pain and level of disability. The degree of pain relief was then assessed 1 month after treatment with the TFESIs and graded as excellent (no residual pain), good (improvement of pain symptoms by more than 50%), fair (improvement of pain symptoms by less than 50%) and Poor (no improvement of pain). In addition, the duration of pain relief was evaluated by regular outpatient visits for 6 months, and by telephone interviews after 6 months. RESULTS: The H and S group both had excellet results at 1 month after treatment with TFESIs showing improvements of 44.1% and 20.8% respectively. However this difference was not significant between groups. In addition, a duration of pain relief greater than 6 months was achieved in 32.4% of the patients in the H group and 37.7% of those in the S group. CONCLUSIONS: TFESIs had a similar degree of therapeutic effectiveness and duration of pain relief in patients with spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs.

Efficacy of Translaminar Epidural Steroid Injection versus Combined Translaminar Epidural Steroid Injection with Selective Nerve Root Injection in Spinal Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment effects of translaminar epidural steroid injections (TLESIs) only and selective nerve root injections (SNRIs) with TLESIs in lumbosacral spinal stenosis. METHOD: Thirty-four patients diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and electromyography (EMG) were included. 16 patients who had somatosensory pathway dysfunction or abnormal spontaneous activity received combined SNRIs with TLESIs and 20 patients received only TLESIs. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional rating index (FRI) were measured before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection. RESULTS: The mean values of VAS before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection were 7.55, 3.22, 3.61 in only TLESIs and 7.37, 2.06, 2.31 in SNRIs with TLESIs. The mean values of FRI before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection were 25.16, 16.00, 15.83 in only TLESIs and 22.50, 8.37, 8.31 in SNRIs with TLESIs. In the mean values of VAS and FRI were significantly lower SNRIs with TLESIs than only TLESIs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined SNRIs with TLESIs were more effective treatment for reduction of pain and improvement of function than only TLESIs in lumbosacral spinal stenosis.