Next Level in Computed Tomography-Guided Periradicular Infiltration Therapy: Same Efficiency with Less Radiation Exposure

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study investigated the radiation exposure and clinical efficiency of a new institutional low-dose protocol for computed tomography (CT)-guided lumbar periradicular infiltration (PRI). This was a retrospective matched-pair comparison of patients undergoing single-level lumbar PRI therapy employing a new low-dose CT protocol consisting of a helical scan with reduced energy levels and tube current versus the institutional standard CT protocol. The following variables were collected: dose-length product for the planning step, interventional step, and total examination, number of CT guidance scans, examination time, and postprocedural improvement on the numerical rating scale for radicular pain. Forty-five patients were allocated to each group. A sufficient radiation dose reduction of 30% during PRI was achieved with the low-dose protocol with a median dose-length product of 9.8mGy∗cm compared to 32.9mGy∗cm with the standard protocol (P < 0.001). No need for additional multiple scans during the interventional mode was observed in the low-dose group, resulting in a comparable procedure time between the groups. Furthermore, the short-term pain-reducing effect of PRI was comparable between the low-dose and standard protocols (median delta numerical rating scale= 4 in both groups). Our low-dose protocol with less tube voltage and lower electric current leads to less radiation exposure with the same safety and efficiency. In conclusion, every facility that performs CT-based procedures should check whether a further dose reduction is applicable to avoid stochastic radiation damage to the patient.