Control Study of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy Treated by Loosening Posterior Tubercle of Cervical Transverse Process with CT-guided Insertion of Small Needle Knife and Blind Insertion of Small Needle Knife / 广州中医药大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the successful rate and the therapeutic effect of loosening posterior tubercle of cervical transverse process with CT-guided insertion or blind insertion of small needle knife for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods Ninety patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were divided into CT-guided insertion group and blind insertion group in the admission order using the random number table method, 45 cases in each group. CT-guided insertion group adopted the insertion of small needle knife following by the guide of CT, and the blind insertion group adopted the insertion of small needle knife following by cervical bony landmarks and muscles. After insertion, the position of the small needle knife in patients of the two groups was located by CT scan. If the needle knife did not arrive to the foci, it will be inserted again following by the guide of CT till successful insertion and location. The successful rate for the two times of insertion was calculated, and the pain scores were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS). Results(1) The successful rate for the first insertion of CT-guided insertion group was 73.3％, and that of the blind insertion group was 47.8％, the difference being significant(P < 0.01). The successful rate for the second insertion of CT-guided insertion group was 92.2％, and that of the blind insertion group was 80.0％, the difference being significant (P<0.01). (2) After treatment for one week, pain VAS scores of the two group were decreased (P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment) , and the decrease in the CT-guided insertion group was more obvious than the blind insertion group (P < 0.05). Conclusion CT-guided insertion makes the small needle knife therapy be more accurate and safer, ensures much better therapeutic effect, and brings less pain in the patients.