Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of fluoroscopically guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections (CILESI). The most common causes of cervical spinal syndromes are spinal nerve compression secondary to stenosis with spondylosis or herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Epidural steroid injections are frequently used for relieving pain due to spinal pathologies and cervical pain syndromes.
Material-Methods: Sixty-five patients who received their first fluoroscopically guided CILESI over 12 months interval were retrospectively identified. Patients who had failed conservative non-surgical management and patients who were otherwise candidates of surgery were included in this trial of CILESI. The verbal numerical rating scales (VNRS) before the treatment, within one hour after the treatment and upon follow-up were analyzed.
Results: The most preferred intervention level of CILESI was C5-C6. There was a statistically significant improvement in the VNRS scores from before the injection to immediately after the injection, and upon follow-up. Fifty-one patients (80%) had perfect/good scores. No major complications were encountered after CILESI, but one patient had (1.54%) vasovagal reaction and another 1 patient had (1.54%) transient increase of pain after injection.
Conclusion: Fluoroscopy guided CILESI is a safe and effective means of treating patients with cervical pain syndromes. The success rates show that a large percentage of the patients may obtain relief from radicular symptoms and avoid surgery for the follow-up period up to 12 months.
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