Clinical observation of radiofrequency thermocoagulation combined steroid injection in treatment of the aged cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

Abstract

Objective In this study, ultrasound and CT-guided radiofrequency ablation combined with injection through the cervical intervertebral foramen in the treatment of geriatric patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and just injection in the treatment of geriatric patients with CSR, compared the clinical effects of two different treatments on senile patients with CSR. Methods Forty geriatric patients with CSR were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table (n=20) : The test group (group T), The control group (group C). The course of treatment are under ultrasound for body surface location. Patients in Group T were treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation (55 ℃ 60 s, 60 ℃ 120 s, 65 ℃ 60 s)+injection antiphlogistic and analgesic (prescription: 0.25% lidocaine+ 10 mg dexamethasone+ iohexol, a total of 4 ml). Patients in Group C were only treated with anti-inflammatory analgesic (prescription: 0.25% lidocaine+ 10 mg dexamethasone+ sterile saline, a total of 4 ml). The effectiveness evaluation mainly used the VAS score before treatment, 1 month after the treatment and 6 months after treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy at 6 months after the treatment and the patients' satisfaction. Results All patients were treated successfully. During the process of treatment and after treatment, no patient showed vascular and nerve injury. Also, no patient had numbness and neurological dysfunction after operation. Pain VAS scores of group T and group C were lower than the values of before, 1 month and 6 month after the treatment (P<0.05). Among them, pain VAS score of group T decreased more significantly. The excellent rate of group T was 85% but the rate of group C was only 45%. There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Ultrasound and CT-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation combined with injection through the cervical intervertebral foramen in the treatment of senile patients with CSR is a simple, safe and effective treatment method. Key words: Ultrasound; Radio frequency; Aged; Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy