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Published online before print January 5, 2007, 10.1148/radiol.2423051934
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(Radiology 2007;242:907-913.)
© RSNA, 2007

Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Sciatica: Treatment with Intradiscal and Intraforaminal Injections of Steroid and Oxygen-Ozone versus Steroid Only1

Massimo Gallucci, MD, Nicola Limbucci, MD, Luigi Zugaro, MD, Antonio Barile, MD, Emmanouil Stavroulis, MD, Alessandro Ricci, MD, Renato Galzio, MD and Carlo Masciocchi, MD

1 From the Departments of Radiology (M.G., N.L., L.Z., A.B., E.S., C.M.) and Neurosurgery (A.R., R.G.), University of L'Aquila, S Salvatore Hospital, Coppito, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. Received November 28, 2005; revision requested January 18, 2006; revision received March 1; accepted April 4; final version accepted, June 19. Address correspondence to N.L. (e-mail: niclimb{at}libero.it).

Purpose: To prospectively compare the clinical effectiveness of intraforaminal and intradiscal injections of a mixture of a steroid, a local anesthetic, and oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) (chemodiscolysis) versus intraforaminal and intradiscal injections of a steroid and an anesthetic in the management of radicular pain related to acute lumbar disk herniation.

Materials and Methods: Medical Ethical Committee approval and informed consent were obtained. One hundred fifty-nine patients (86 men, 73 women; age range, 18–71 years) were included and were randomly assigned to two groups. Seventy-seven patients (group A) underwent intradiscal and intraforaminal injections of a steroid and an anesthetic, and 82 patients (group B) underwent the same treatment with the addition of an O2-O3 mixture. Procedures were performed with computed tomographic guidance. An Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was administered before treatment and at intervals, the last at 6-month follow-up. Patients and clinicians were blinded as to which treatment was performed. Results were compared with the {chi}2 test.

Results: After 6 months, treatment was successful in 36 (47%) patients in group A and in 61 (74%) patients in group B. The difference was significant (P < .01).

Conclusion: Intraforaminal and intradiscal injections of a steroid, an anesthetic, and O2-O3 are more effective at 6 months than injections of only a steroid and an anesthetic in the same sites.

© RSNA, 2007






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