Korean J Pain.  2018 Apr;31(2):125-131. 10.3344/kjp.2018.31.2.125.

Preliminary study on contrast flow analysis of thoracic transforaminal epidural block

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. Parkkibum@dsmc.or.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The thoracic transforaminal epidural block (TTFEB) is usually performed to treat herpes zoster or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Especially, multiple segmental involvements and approximate contrast medium spread range, according to volume, help to choose the proper drug volume in the transforaminal epidural block. This study investigated the contrast medium spread patterns of 1-ml to 3-ml TTFEBs.
METHODS
A total of 26 patients with herpes zoster or PHN were enrolled in this study. All participants received 1 ml, 2 ml, or 3 ml of contrast medium. Results were divided into Groups A, B and C based on the volume (1, 2, or 3 ml), with n = 26 for each group. After the injection of contrast medium, the spread levels were estimated in both the lateral and anteroposterior (AP) images using fluoroscopy.
RESULTS
The cephalad spread of contrast medium in the lateral image as expressed by the median (interquartile range) was 2.00 levels (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.50 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 3.00 (2.00-4.00) for Group C. The caudal spread level of contrast medium was 1.00 (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group C. There was ventral and dorsal spread of the 3-ml contrast medium injection in 88% (23/26) of cases in the lateral image.
CONCLUSIONS
Injection of 3 ml of contrast medium through the foramina spread 6 levels in a cephalocaudal direction. Spread patterns revealed a cephalad preference. TTFEB resulted in dorsal and ventral spread in a high percentage of cases. This procedure may be useful for transferring drugs to the dorsal and ventral roots.

Keyword

Contrast media; Epidural injection; Fluoroscopy; Herpes zoster; Nerve block; Postherpetic neuralgia; Spine

MeSH Terms

Contrast Media
Fluoroscopy
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Injections, Epidural
Nerve Block
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
Spinal Nerve Roots
Spine
Contrast Media

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Lateral radiograph shows 2-level cephalad and 2-level caudal spread. The anteroposterior epidural space was filled with contrast. The needle was located the middle portion of the foramen.

  • Fig. 2 Anteroposterior radiograph shows ipsilateral and contralateral contrast medium spread. In the caudal direction, the ipsilateral contrast medium spread wider than on the contralateral side.


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