The effect of intradiscal injection of percutaneous radiopaque gel ethanol on pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation: Our clinical experience

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH); It is an important disease that is common in society and can cause socioeconomic problems. There are many treatment algorithms for LDH, including medical and surgical. Our aim in this study; To evaluate the clinical results of patients with LDH who did not benefit from conservative treatment after percutaneous intradiscal radiopaque gel ethanol (RGE) procedure in the light of the literature. Methods: A total of 44 levels of percutaneous intradiscal RGE were applied to 41 patients, 14 men and 27 women, hospitalized with the diagnosis of LDH. patients; Demographic characteristics, treatments they received, lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) taken 6 months later, visual analog scores (VAS) before and 6 months after percutaneous intradiscal RGE procedure, complications, side effects and patient satisfaction after the procedure were evaluated. Results: The VAS values of the patients were 8 before the procedure and 4.2 6 months after the procedure. A 47.5% reduction in pain was observed and these data were evaluated as statistically significant. When patients were asked about their satisfaction with the procedure after the percutaneous RGE procedure; 4 patients answered "poor", 13 patients "moderate", 13 patients "good" and 11 patients "excellent". The rate of those who were satisfied with the procedure was 90.2%, and these data were not considered statistically significant. Conclusion: As a result; Percutaneous intradiscal RGE procedure, in patients with a diagnosis of LDH and who did not benefit from conservative treatment; It can be a minimally invasive technique that reduces pain.