Comparison of the Effectiveness of Erector Spina Plane Block and Transforaminal Anterior Epidural Injections

Summary

Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and its social burden and economic cost are quite high. The lifetime prevalence in the population is frequently reported between 40% and 70%. Although there are many reasons that can lead to low back pain, radicular pain, which develops mostly secondary to lumbar disc hernia, is one of the most common pathologies.

Epidural corticosteroid and local anesthetic injections are an important treatment option in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain that does not respond to conservative methods. epidural injections; includes transforaminal, interlaminar and caudal approaches. The advantage of the transforaminal approach is that it allows access to the anterior epidural area, which is the region of pathology, and that it can spread to the target specifically around the inflamed nerve roots. The standard imaging technology used for steroid injections with this approach is fluoroscopy.

However, the aforementioned approaches carry the risk of dural puncture, epidural hematoma, epidural abscess, nerve damage, paralysis and many complications. In addition, radiation exposure is another problem. It may be possible to avoid a significant part of these risks by applying interfacial blocks used in regional anesthesia and postoperative pain control in the lumbar region. Recently, Erector Spina Plan Block (ESPB), an interfascial block technique, has been frequently applied under ultrasound (US) guidance as an alternative method to conventional paravertebral block. Investigators also frequently refer to this procedure in the clinic for patients with lumbar radicular pain.

In the literature, there are case reports of lumbar ESPB applied to patients with radicular pain due to disc herniation. Beyond case-level reports, there is no clinical study investigating the efficacy of this procedure technique for applications in the lumbar region. Starting from here, the aim of this study is; Investigators determined to compare the efficacy of erector spina plane block and transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injections in patients with radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation.

Conditions

• Lumbar Disc Herniation
• Radiculopathy Lumbar

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

In the TFESI group, all patients were positioned prone. The injection site was cleaned with povidone-iodine 3 times and a sterile drape was applied. Short-acting local anesthesia (3 mL of 2% prilocaine) was applied to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. A 3.5-inch, 22-gauge spinal needle was inserted just below the pedicle. It was advanced into the subpedicular space using the coaxial technique under the intermittent guidance of fluoroscopy. The needle position was confirmed through a lateral view. Using lateral views, the needle was placed at the posterior one-third of the foramen. Using the anteroposterior view, one to 2 mL of the contrast agent (300 mg/50 mL iohexol) was given and the distribution pattern was visualized. Once the epidural distribution of the contrast agent was confirmed without vascular flow, a mixture of 8 mg (two mL) of dexamethasone, 2 mL of physiological saline, and 1 mL (0.5%) of bupivacaine hydrochloride was injected.

PROCEDURE

Erector Spina Plane Block

Patients are placed in the prone position to determine the vertebrae in the middle of the involved area. Following the provision of aseptic conditions, the spinous process of the vertebral midline is visualized using a high-frequency (8 MHz) linear ultrasound (USG) probe. The transverse process is, then, visualized approximately at the 3 cm lateral from the midline and the erector spinae muscle is visualized on it. The 22-gauge 50 mm block needle is advanced towards the in-plane section craniocaudally and the transverse process is touched. Then the needle is then withdrawn minimally to confirm that it is between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process through hydrodissection. Following that, 5 mL from 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride, 8 mg dexamethasone and 3 ml saline is administered and local anesthetic spread is confirmed by USG.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-11-01

Primary Completion

2023-06-01

Completion

2023-08-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations