Efficacy of Epidural Injections in Managing Chronic Spinal Pain: A Best Evidence Synthesis

BACKGROUND

Epidural injections have been used since 1901 in managing low back pain and sciatica. Spinal pain, disability, health, and economic impact continue to increase, despite numerous modalities of interventions available in managing chronic spinal pain. Thus far, systematic reviews performed to assess the efficacy of epidural injections in managing chronic spinal pain have yielded conflicting results.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and update the clinical utility of the efficacy of epidural injections in managing chronic spinal pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of epidural injections in managing chronic spinal pain.

METHODS

In this systematic review, randomized trials with a placebo control or an active-control design were included. The outcome measures were pain relief and functional status improvement. The quality of each individual article was assessed by Cochrane review criteria, as well as the Interventional Pain Management Techniques-Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment (IPM-QRB). Best evidence synthesis was conducted based on the qualitative level of evidence (Level I to V). Data sources included relevant literature identified through searches of PubMed for a period starting in 1966 through August 2015; Cochrane reviews; and manual searches of the bibliographies of known primary and review articles.

RESULTS

A total of 52 trials met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was not feasible. The evidence in managing lumbar disc herniation or radiculitis is Level II for long-term improvement either with caudal, interlaminar, or transforaminal epidural injections with no significant difference among the approaches. The evidence is Level II for long-term management of cervical disc herniation with interlaminar epidural injections. The evidence is Level II to III in managing thoracic disc herniation with an interlaminar approach. The evidence is Level II for caudal and lumbar interlaminar epidural injections with Level III evidence for lumbar transforaminal epidural injections for lumbar spinal stenosis. The evidence is Level III for cervical spinal stenosis management with an interlaminar approach. The evidence is Level II for axial or discogenic pain without facet arthropathy or disc herniation treated with caudal or lumbar interlaminar injections in the lumbar region; whereas it is Level III in the cervical region treated with cervical interlaminar epidural injections. The evidence for post lumbar surgery syndrome is Level II with caudal epidural injections and for post cervical surgery syndrome it is Level III with cervical interlaminar epidural injections.

LIMITATIONS

Even though this is a large systematic review with inclusion of a large number of randomized controlled trials, the paucity of high quality randomized trials literature continues to confound the evidence.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review, with an assessment of the quality of manuscripts and outcome parameters, shows the efficacy of epidural injections in managing a multitude of chronic spinal conditions.

Validation of the Modified Raymond-Roy classification for intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization

BACKGROUND

The Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) qualitatively assesses intracranial aneurysm occlusion following endovascular coil embolization. The Modified Raymond-Roy Classification (MRRC) was developed as a refinement of this classification scheme, and dichotomizes RROC III occlusions into IIIa (opacification within the interstices of the coil mass) and IIIb (opacification between the coil mass and aneurysm wall) closures.

METHODS

To demonstrate in an external cohort the predictive accuracy of the MRRC, the records of 326 patients with 345 intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular coil embolization from January 2007 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Within this cohort, 84 (24.3%) and 83 aneurysms (24.1%) had MRRC IIIa and IIIb closures, respectively, during initial coil embolization. Progression to complete occlusion was more likely with IIIa than IIIb closures (53.6% vs 19.2%, p≤0.01), while recanalization was more likely with IIIb than IIIa closures (65.1% vs 27.4%, p<0.01). Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated a significant difference in the test of equality for progression to complete occlusion (p=0.02) and recurrence (p<0.01) between class IIIa and IIIb distributions. For the entire cohort, male gender (p<0.01), ruptured aneurysm (p=0.04), intraluminal thrombus (p<0.01), and MRRC IIIb closure (p<0.01) were identified as predictors of recanalization. For aneurysms with an initial RROC III occlusion, MRRC IIIa closure was found to be an independent predictor of progression to complete occlusion (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that the MRRC enhances the predictive accuracy of the RROC.

Multimodal Diagnostic Imaging for Hyperacute Stroke

In April 2015, the American Roentgen Ray Society and the American Society of Neuroradiology cosponsored a unique program designed to evaluate the state of the art in the imaging work-up of acute stroke. This topic has grown in importance because of the recent randomized controlled trials demonstrating the clear efficacy of endovascular stroke treatment. The authors, who were participants in that symposium, will highlight the points of emphasis in this article.

Cerebral Angiography for Evaluation of Patients with CT Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: An 11-Year Experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

CT angiography is increasingly used to evaluate patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage given its high sensitivity for aneurysms. We investigated the yield of digital subtraction angiography among patients with SAH or intraventricular hemorrhage and a negative CTA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An 11-year, single-center retrospective review of all consecutive patients with CTA-negative SAH was performed. Noncontrast head CT, CTA, DSA, and MR imaging studies were reviewed by 2 experienced interventional neuroradiologists and 1 neuroradiologist.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty patients (mean age, 54 years; 51% male) with CTA-negative SAH were identified. The pattern of SAH was diffuse (40%), perimesencephalic (31%), sulcal (31%), isolated IVH (6%), or identified by xanthochromia (7%). Initial DSA yield was 13%, including vasculitis/vasculopathy (7%), aneurysm (5%), arteriovenous malformation (0.5%), and dural arteriovenous fistula (0.5%). An additional 6 aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms (4%) were identified by follow-up DSA, and a single cavernous malformation (0.4%) was identified by MRI. No cause of hemorrhage was identified in any patient presenting with isolated intraventricular hemorrhage or xanthochromia. Diffuse SAH was due to aneurysm rupture (17%); perimesencephalic SAH was due to aneurysm rupture (3%) or vasculitis/vasculopathy (1.5%); and sulcal SAH was due to vasculitis/vasculopathy (32%), arteriovenous malformation (3%), or dural arteriovenous fistula (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

DSA identifies vascular pathology in 13% of patients with CTA-negative SAH. Aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms are identified in an additional 4% of patients by repeat DSA following an initially negative DSA. All patients with CT-negative SAH should be considered for DSA. The pattern of SAH may suggest the cause of hemorrhage, and aneurysms should specifically be sought with diffuse or perimesencephalic SAH.

Survival Strategies for Tsunami of ICD-10-CM for Interventionalists: Pursue or Perish!

The unfunded mandate for the implementation of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) is scheduled October 1, 2015. The development of ICD-10-CM has been a complicated process. We have endeavored to keep Interventional Pain Management doctors apprised via a variety of related topical manuscripts. The major issues relate to the lack of formal physician participation in its preparation. While the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and American Hospital Association (AHA) as active partners in its preparation. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are major players; 3M and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association are also involved. The cost of ICD-10-CM implementation is high, similar to the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs), likely consuming substantial resources. While ICD-10, utilized worldwide, includes 14,400 different codes, ICD-10-CM, specific for the United States, has expanded to 144,000 codes, which also includes procedural coding system. It is imperative for physicians to prepare for the mandatory implementation. Conversion from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM coding in interventional pain management is not a conversion of one to one that can be easily obtained from software packages. It is a both a difficult and time-consuming task with each physician, early on, expected to spend on estimation at least 10 minutes per visit on extra coding for established and new patients. For interventional pain physicians, there have been a multitude of changes, including creation of new codes and confusing conversion of existing codes. This manuscript describes a variety of codes that are relevant to interventional pain physicians and often utilized in daily practices. It is our objective that this manuscript will provide coding assistance to interventional pain physicians.

Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy and Therapeutic Effectiveness of Sacroiliac Joint Interventions

BACKGROUND

The sacroiliac joint is well known as a cause of low back and lower extremity pain. Prevalence estimates are 10% to 25% in patients with persistent axial low back pain without disc herniation, discogenic pain, or radiculitis based on multiple diagnostic studies and systematic reviews. However, at present there are no definitive management options for treating sacroiliac joint pain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions.

METHODS

The available literature on diagnostic and therapeutic sacroiliac joint interventions was reviewed. The quality assessment criteria utilized were the Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies (QAREL) checklist for diagnostic accuracy studies, Cochrane review criteria to assess sources of risk of bias, and Interventional Pain Management Techniques-Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment (IPM-QRB) criteria for randomized therapeutic trials and Interventional Pain Management Techniques-Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment for Nonrandomized Studies (IPM-QRBNR) for observational therapeutic assessments. The level of evidence was based on a best evidence synthesis with modified grading of qualitative evidence from Level I to Level V. Data sources included relevant literature published from 1966 through March 2015 that were identified through searches of PubMed and EMBASE, manual searches of the bibliographies of known primary and review articles, and all other sources.

OUTCOME MEASURES

For the diagnostic accuracy assessment, and for the therapeutic modalities, the primary outcome measure of pain relief and improvement in functional status were utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 11 diagnostic accuracy studies and 14 therapeutic studies were included. The evidence for diagnostic accuracy is Level II for dual diagnostic blocks with at least 70% pain relief as the criterion standard and Level III evidence for single diagnostic blocks with at least 75% pain relief as the criterion standard. The evidence for cooled radiofrequency neurotomy in managing sacroiliac joint pain is Level II to III. The evidence for conventional radiofrequency neurotomy, intraarticular steroid injections, and periarticular injections with steroids or botulinum toxin is limited: Level III or IV.

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this systematic review include inconsistencies in diagnostic accuracy studies with a paucity of high quality, replicative, and consistent literature. The limitations for therapeutic interventions include variations in technique, variable diagnostic standards for inclusion criteria, and variable results.

CONCLUSION

The evidence for the accuracy of diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions varied from Level II to Level IV.

Percutaneous Acetabuloplasty Compared With Open Reconstruction for Extensive Periacetabular Carcinoma Metastases

For destructive metastatic periacetabular disease, options include open acetabular reconstruction or percutaneous cement acetabuloplasty (PA). We reviewed 28 consecutive patients with Harrington grade II or III lesions, 17 who underwent Harrington-type or anti-protrusio reconstruction and 11 who underwent PA. Primary outcome measures were performance status (PS), ambulatory status (0=unassisted ambulation, 1=assisted ambulation, 2=nonambulatory), and 10-point VAS score. The surgery group had better pain reduction than the PA group at 3 months (3.6 vs. 1.5 points, P=0.04), and a trend at final follow-up (3.8 vs. 1.4 points, P=0.06). Improvement in ambulatory status was better in the surgery group at 3 months only (0.53 vs. -0.14, P=0.03). Thus compared with PA, open reconstruction may provide improved pain relief and ambulation.

An update on the management of chronic lumbar discogenic pain

Lumbar degenerative disc disease without disc herniation, also known as discogenic pain, is an elusive diagnosis of chronic low back pain. Lumbar provocation discography and fusion surgery have been frequently utilized for several decades as the gold standards for the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic lumbar discogenic pain, though controversial, based on conjecture, rather than evidence. In addition to lumbar fusion, various other operative and nonoperative modalities of treatments are available in managing chronic lumbar discogenic pain. This review provides an updated assessment of the management of chronic lumbar discogenic pain with a critical look at the many modalities of treatments that are currently available.

MACRA: background, opportunities and challenges for the neurointerventional specialist

The legislative branch of government took many by surprise when it announced the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. Once the Act was passed, President Obama quickly signed this bipartisan, bicameral effort into law. A foundational element of this legislation was the permanent repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula. Physicians and their patients were appropriately enthusiastic about this development. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 included additional elements of considerable interest to neurointerventional specialists.

Epidemiology of low back pain in adults

OBJECTIVE

Low back pain affects many individuals. It has profound effects on well-being and is often the cause of significant physical and psychological health impairments. Low back pain also affects work performance and social responsibilities, such as family life, and is increasingly a major factor in escalating health-care costs. A global review of the prevalence of low back pain in the adult general population has shown its point prevalence to be approximately 12%, with a one-month prevalence of 23%, a one-year prevalence of 38%, and a lifetime prevalence of approximately 40%. Furthermore, as the population ages over the coming decades, the number of individuals with low back pain is likely to increase substantially. This comprehensive review is undertaken to assess the increasing prevalence of low back pain and the influence of comorbid factors, along with escalating costs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A narrative review with literature assessment.

RESULTS

In the USA, low back pain and related costs are escalating. Based on the available literature, it appears that the prevalence of low back pain continues to increase, along with numerous modalities and their application in managing low back pain. Comorbid factors with psychological disorders and multiple medical problems, including obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, increasing age, and lifestyle factors, are considered as risk factors for low back pain.

CONCLUSION

Although it has been alleged that low back pain resolves in approximately 80% to 90% of patients in about six weeks, irrespective of the administration or type of treatment, with only 5% to 10% of patients developing persistent back pain, this concept has been frequently questioned as the condition tends to relapse and most patients experience multiple episodes years after the initial attack.

Application of a Novel Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Endovascular Grading Scale for Transarterial Embolization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The advent of modern neuroendovascular techniques has highlighted the need for a simple, effective, and reliable brain arteriovenous malformation endovascular grading scale. A novel scale of this type has recently been described. It incorporates the number of feeding arteries, eloquence, and the presence of an arteriovenous fistula component. Our aim is to assess the validity of this grading scale.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all suspected brain arteriovenous malformations at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2005 to 2013, identifying 126 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Spearman correlations between endovascular and Spetzler-Martin grading scales and long-term outcomes were performed. Median endovascular grades were compared between treatment modalities and endovascular outcomes. Binary regression analysis was performed with major endovascular complications as a dichotomized dependent variable. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for interobserver reliability of the endovascular grading scale.

RESULTS

A significant Spearman correlation between the endovascular grade and the Spetzler-Martin grade was demonstrated (ρ = 0.5, P < .01). Differences in the median endovascular grades between the endovascular cure (median = 2) and endovascular complication groups (median = 4) (P < .05) and between the endovascular cure and successful multimodal treatment groups (median = 3) (P < .05) were demonstrated. The endovascular grade was the only independent predictor of complications (OR = 0.5, P < .01). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the endovascular grade was 0.71 (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Validation of a brain arteriovenous malformation endovascular grading scale demonstrated that endovascular grades of ≤II were associated with endovascular cure, while endovascular grades of ≤III were associated with multimodal cure or significant lesion reduction and favorable outcome. The endovascular grade provides useful information to refine risk stratification for endovascular and multimodal treatment.

Midterm Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes after Percutaneous Interspinous Spacer Treatment for Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication

PURPOSE

To evaluate the midterm clinical and radiologic outcome of percutaneous interspinous process spacer (IPS) treatment for neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) in patients who fail conservative treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with NIC, lumbar spinal stenosis confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging, failure of conservative management for at least 6 months, and treatment with percutaneous IPS were included. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 1 year and 3 years after treatment. Spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional areas were calculated from multidetector computed tomography at baseline and 1 year.

RESULTS

There were 80 patients treated with 94 IPS devices; 83% of patients received a single IPS; 78% of IPS devices were placed at L4-L5. An IPS dislocation was the single periprocedural major complication. VAS score of 8.1 ± 2 before treatment was reduced to 4.4 ± 2 at 1 month after treatment (P = .0001); ODI score of 23.3 ± 10 before treatment was reduced to 11.7 ± 8.5 at 1 month after treatment (P = .0001). These significant reductions were durable at 1-year and 3-year follow-up evaluations (P < .01). Spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional area increased by 15% at 1 year (P = .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with NIC who failed conservative treatment and were treated with percutaneous IPS achieved significant gains in pain relief and reduced disability that remained durable at 3-year clinical follow-up evaluation. This outcome was accompanied by significant increases in spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional areas at the treated level.

Do Epidural Injections Provide Short- and Long-term Relief for Lumbar Disc Herniation? A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

As part of a comprehensive nonsurgical approach, epidural injections often are used in the management of lumbar disc herniation. Recent guidelines and systematic reviews have reached different conclusions about the efficacy of epidural injections in managing lumbar disc herniation.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In this systematic review, we determined the efficacy (pain relief and functional improvement) of the three anatomic approaches (caudal, lumbar interlaminar, and transforaminal) for epidural injections in the treatment of disc herniation.

METHODS

We performed a literature search from 1966 to June 2013 in PubMed, Cochrane library, US National Guideline Clearinghouse, previous systematic reviews, and cross-references for trials studying all types of epidural injections in managing chronic or chronic and subacute lumbar disc herniation. We wanted only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (either placebo or active controlled) to be included in our analysis, and 66 studies found in our search fulfilled these criteria. We then assessed the methodologic quality of these 66 studies using the Cochrane review criteria for RCTs. Thirty-nine studies were excluded, leaving 23 RCTs of high and moderate methodologic quality for analysis. Evidence for the efficacy of all three approaches for epidural injection under fluoroscopy was strong for short-term (< 6 months) and moderate for long-term (≥ 6 months) based on the Cochrane rating system with five levels of evidence (best evidence synthesis), with strong evidence denoting consistent findings among multiple high-quality RCTs and moderate evidence denoting consistent findings among multiple low-quality RCTs or one high-quality RCT. The primary outcome measure was pain relief, defined as at least 50% improvement in pain or 3-point improvement in pain scores in at least 50% of the patients. The secondary outcome measure was functional improvement, defined as 50% reduction in disability or 30% reduction in the disability scores.

RESULTS

Based on strong evidence for short-term efficacy from multiple high-quality trials and moderate evidence for long-term efficacy from at least one high quality trial, we found that fluoroscopic caudal, lumbar interlaminar, and transforaminal epidural injections were efficacious at managing lumbar disc herniation in terms of pain relief and functional improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence suggests that epidural injections performed under fluoroscopy by trained physicians offer improvement in pain and function in well-selected patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Accountable Care Organizations: what they mean for the country and for neurointerventionalists

The Affordable Care Act is celebrating its fifth anniversary and remains one of the most significant attempts to reform healthcare in US history. Prior to the federal legislation, Accountable Care Organizations had largely been part of an academic discussion about how to control rising healthcare costs, but have since become a fixture in our national healthcare landscape. A fundamental shift is underway in the relationship between healthcare delivery and payment models. Some elements of Accountable Care Organizations may remain unfamiliar to most healthcare providers, including neurointerventional specialists. In this paper we review the fundamental concepts behind and the current forms of Accountable Care Organizations, and discuss the challenges and opportunities they present for neurointerventionalists.

Clinical management of radicular pain

This review provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment strategies for the management of radicular pain. While it is not as common as axial spinal pain, radicular pain combines the advantage of leveraging appropriate diagnostic strategies and definitive treatments with well-informed outcome measures. Multiple diagnostic measures include not only history and physical examination, but also imaging. The treatment modalities include pharmacologic management, physical and rehabilitation measures, interventional techniques and surgical treatments. Here, the authors describe the prevalence and pathophysiology of radicular pain, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities and the evidence for these management strategies. Finally, the authors show the efficacy of conservative management, despite surgical management being the gold standard.