(636) Randomized, Prospective, Comparative Study of Efficacy and Patient Outcome with Translaminar vs Selective Nerve Root Epidural Steroid Injection

Authors: Kasra Amirdelfan, Pacific Pain Treatment Center; Elliot Krames, Pacific Pain Treatment Center; Elwyn Clark Objective: To determine the efficacy and superiority of lumbar translaminar versus selective nerve root blockade or vice versa. Materials and Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy with specific nerve root distribution are randomized to a level‐specific translaminar vs a selective nerve root epidural steroid and local anesthetic injection. Patients are contacted on a scheduled periodical basis (weekly for 4 weeks and monthly thereof for 6 months) after their procedure. Each patient is then questioned regarding pain relief, improvement in function (bending, walking, sitting, etc.). All patients are asked similar questions from a standard, specially designed form, in the same order each time. All results are charted and interpreted for outcome measures. Results: Currently approximately 15 patients have been enrolled in the study. Other patients are enrolled on a weekly basis. A statistically significant number of patients will be enrolled and interpreted in this study prior to January of the year 2000. As of now, there does not appear to be a statistically significant difference in outcome between translaminar and selective nerve root blockade in randomized patients.