Turkish Neurosurgery
CAUDAL EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS IN POSTLAMINECTOMY PATIENTS:Comparison of ultrasonography and flouroscopy
Taylan Akkaya1, Derya Özkan1, Hayri Kertmen 2, Zeki Şekerci2
1 Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Anesthesiology, Ankara,
2 Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Ankara,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.16171-15.1
Aim:The purpose of this study was to compare the results of ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided caudal epidural steroid injections in postlaminectomy patients. Material and Methods:Of the 30 postlaminectomy patients who were randomly divided into two groups, Group I (n=15) received ultrasound-guided and Group II (n=15) fluoroscopy-guided caudal epidural local anesthetic and steroid injection, and each patient’s time to performed block was recorded. The patients’ Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and satisfaction with the therapy during the 3-month follow-up were evaluated. Results:The caudal block performed with both methods resulted in similar improvement in low back pain and functions. Time to performed block was shorter in Group I than in Group II (6.06 ±0.88 min versus 11.2± 1.14 min) . Conclusion:Caudal epidural steroid injection is an effective analgesic method for postlaminectomy patients. Ultrasound-guided caudal block can be as effective as fluoroscopy-guided block and even more comfortable.
Corresponding author : Derya Özkan