Korean J Pain.  2006 Jun;19(1):63-67. 10.3344/kjp.2006.19.1.63.

Anterior Epidural Irrigation in a Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Patient

• Lee JS
• Kwon HT
• Park CH

• KMID: 2278017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2006.19.1.63

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pain due to spinal stenosis is one of the major causes of low back pain, and it sometimes does not respond to conservative treatment. We postulated that anterior epidural irrigation could be a good choice for treating lumbar spinal stenosis patients. However, the effects and theoretical basis of anterior epidural irrigation have not been investigated for spinal stenosis. So, this study was designed to identify the clinical efficacy of anterior epidural irrigation for treating lumbar spinal stenosis.
METHODS
71 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent anterior epidural irrigation. Anterior epidural irrigation was performed with normal saline and a mixture of local anesthetic with steroid through a catheter under fluoroscopic guidance. The findings were evaluated with using visual analogue scales for low back pain and leg symptoms.
RESULTS
Relief from low back pain and leg pain was observed for up to 12 months after anterior epidural irrigation. None of the patients showed any deterioration of their motor or sensory deficits during follow up.
CONCLUSIONS
Anterior epidural irrigation is effective for the relief of back and leg pain in spinal stenosis patients.

Keyword

anterior epidural space; irrigation; spinal stenosis; VAS score

MeSH Terms

Catheters
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Leg
Low Back Pain
Spinal Stenosis*
Weights and Measures