Epidural Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy에 대한 경막외 Steroid 주입에 관하여

Cervical radiculopathy has been recognized as a common cause of neck, shoulder, and arm pain. It was conventionally treated with rest, traction, cervical collars, manipulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with varying results. Surgery has not always been successful so the idea of epidural steroid injection was developed as in the case of lumbar epidural injections, for the treatment of low back pain and sciatica. Thirty one patients with evidence of cervical radiculopathy were treated with injections of triamcinolone acetate into the cervical epidural space. The effect of the steroid injection could be evaluated in twenty one patients who received epidural injections more than twice. No improvement was seen in 6 patients and 15 patients showed good to excellent pain relief for a week to over 6 months. Epidural steroid injection seems to have a positive role in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

경부 신경근병이 의심되는 31예의 환자에 경막외강 스테로이드 주입으로 치료하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 총 31예중 10예에서는 1회만을 주입하였다. 2) 최소한 1주일 간격으로 2회이상 주입한 21예중 15예에서 증상의 호전을 보였고 6예에서는 효과가 없었다. 3) 총 88회 주업중 2회의 지주막 천자외에는 합병증이 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 cervical radiculopathy가 의심되는 환자는 수술적 치료를 적용하기 전에 다른 종류의 대중적 치료와 더불어 경막외 스테로이드률 주입하는 것이 안전하고 효과적인 것으로 사료된다.