The combined use of Doppler ultrasound and fluoroscopy may increase efficacy and safety during cervical transforaminal epidural injection of steroid and local anaesthetic The study will detect by which technique we have to start and confirm by the other to reach the favourable outcome.
In a previous Ultrasound study involving the C5C6 levels, a performance time of 248.8 ± 82.7 seconds was reported. On the basis of these findings, a 30% difference in performance time would represent an effect size of 0.82 and would require 20 patients per group to achieve an alpha error of 0.05 and beta error of 0.1. For dropped cases; 5% will be added. So a total sample size of 64 patients (32 per group) will be required. Statistical Analysis: will be performed using SPSS version 22 statistical software. For quantitative data, normality will be first assessed with the Shapiro test and then analyzed with the Student t-test. Data that will not have a normal distribution, as well as ordinal data, will be analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. For binomial data, Fisher exact test will be used. All P values presented will be 2-sided and values of less than 0.05 will be considered significant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
64
the cervical spine will be sonographically examined to determine the C7 transverse process then after lidocaine skin infiltration, a 22G spinal needle is directed towards the hypoechoic shadow of the nerve root using the in-plane technique. then 1ml of non-ionic contrast will be injected and AP and the oblique foraminal fluoroscopic view will be obtained. After confirmation of correct placement of the needle,(2ml, 8mg dexamethasone plus 1ml Lidocaine 1%) will be injected.
After AP view, alignment or squaring of the target lower end plate, an oblique foraminal view is obtained. Following lidocaine 1% skin infiltration, a 22G spinal needle is directed towards the target foramen then, the superficial ultrasound probe will be applied to delineate the foramen. The needle will be advanced \~3mm towards the dorsal root ganglia under fluoroscopic guidance. After contrast confirmation of needle placement, 2ml,8mg dexamethasone plus 1ml Lidocaine 1%) will be injected.
Enas A Abd el Motlb
Al Mansurah, DK, Egypt
performance time in minutes
Defined as time needed for correct transforaminal needle placement through ultrasound guidance followed by fluoroscopic confirmation or fluoroscopic guidance followed by ultrasound confirmation
Time frame: starting by direction of the spinal needle towards the nerve root till confirmation of correct placement of the needle and injection over a period of 15 minutes
Feasibility of the radiologic target
number of needle corrections till confirmation of correct placement of the needle
Time frame: starting by direction of the spinal needle towards the nerve root till confirmation of correct placement of the needle and injection over a period of 15 minutes
Visual analogue score
Visual analogue score (VAS, 11-point scale): using 100mm visual analogue score in which 0 mm represents no pain and 100mm worst pain imaginable
Time frame: pre-procedure then every 3 months till 6 months after the procedure
Neck disability index
Neck disability index (NDI, 35-point scale); 0-4points (0-8%) no disability, 5-14points (10 - 28%) mild disability, 15-24points (30-48% ) moderate disability, 25-34points (50- 64%) severe disability, 35-50points (70-100%) complete disability
Time frame: pre-procedure then every 3 months till 6 months after the procedure
Level of patient satisfaction
Level of patient satisfaction (5-point scale); Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Very satisfied
Time frame: pre-procedure then every 3 months till 6 months after the procedure
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