Korean J Pain.  2012 Jan;25(1):55-59. 10.3344/kjp.2012.25.1.55.

Clinical Experiences of Transforaminal Balloon Decompression for Patients with Spinal Stenosis

• Kim SH
• Koh WU
• Park SJ
• Choi WJ
• Suh JH
• Leem JG
• Park PH
• Shin JW

• KMID: 2278118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.1.55

Abstract

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a commonly treated with epidural injections of local anesthetics and corticosteroids, however, these therapies may relieve leg pain for weeks to months but do not influence functional status. Furthermore, the majority of patients report no substantial symptom change over the repeated treatment. Utilizing balloon catheters, we successfully treated with three patients who complained persistent symptoms despite repeated conventional steroid injections. Our results suggest that transforaminal decompression using a balloon catheter may have potential in the nonsurgical treatment of spinal stenosis by modifying the underlying pathophysiology.

Keyword

decompressive neuroplasty; epidural injection; spinal stenosis

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anesthetics, Local
Catheters
Decompression
Humans
Injections, Epidural
Leg
Spinal Stenosis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anesthetics, Local

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serial images of balloon decompressive foraminoplasty using a 3 Fr Fogarty catheter filled with contrast medium. (A) A needle was placed in the L4 intervertebral foramen and contrast medium was injected to confirm the epidural space. The contrast agent spread to the sleeve region in a slit-like pattern. (B, C) Balloon decompression was serially performed along with intervertebral neural foramen. (D) After balloon decompression, the spread pattern of contrast agent appeared wider, suggesting that perineural adhesiolysis had been achieved.

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