RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the improvement of symptoms and diagnosis using selective nerve root block (SNRB) for radiating pain after spine surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2012 to October 2013, 112 patients with failed back surgery syndrome (41 male and 71 female, with the mean age of 62.4 years and range of 35 to 78 years), who were admitted and underwent SNRB, were included. All patients were followed-up for more than 12 months. Three groups were classified: Group 1 included patients with no improvement or aggravation of symptoms, group 2 included those with improvement of radiating pain, and group 3 included those with recurrence of radiating. RESULTS: Among the 112 patients, there were 15 patients in group 1, 59 patients in group 2, and 38 patients in group 3. Laminectomy was the highest surgical procedure, inducing failed back surgery syndrome. In group 2, the occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome was higher in case that radiating pain was complained more than 1 year before the first surgery. There is statistically significant symptom improvement in accordance with the visual analogue scale and Korean version of Oswestry disability index on every group after SNRB (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is considered that SNRB is expected to improve the symptoms and to find the cause of symptoms as a diagnostic value even after spine surgery.