A comparison between transforaminal lumbar epidural injection performed under picture archiving and communication systems-based magnetic resonance imaging planning and injection under immediate X-ray guidance

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the treatment cost, operation time, clinical effect, and complications between punctures done under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) planning based on picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and punctures done under immediate X-ray fluoroscopy guidance in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation by transforaminal lumbar epidural injection.

Patients and methods: In this prospective study conducted between October 2016 and June 2021, 128 patients were randomly divided into Groups A and B by the random number table method. In Group A (n=66; 36 males, 30 females; mean age: 64.5±2.4 years, range, 50 to 72 years), puncture was performed by planning with PACS-based MRI; in Group B (n=62; 34 males, 28 females; mean age: 65.3±2.6 years; range, 48 to 73 years), puncture was performed under immediate X-ray guidance. The cost of treatment, duration of procedure, clinical outcome, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results: The difference in treatment cost in Groups A and B was statistically significant (p<0.001), with 755.67±29.45 yuan and 1.158.08±43.92 yuan, respectively. The mean treatment time was statistically significant (p<0.001) between the groups, with 21.16±1.91 min in Group A and 37.26±2 min in Group B. However, there was no significant difference between Group A and Group B in terms of improvement in pain scores and Oswestry disability index (both p>0.05). There was also no significant difference between Group A and Group B in terms of complication rates (both p>0.05).

Conclusion: Compared to immediate X-ray guided puncture, the puncture method using PACS for MRI planning shortened the transforaminal lumbar epidural injection procedure time and reduced the treatment costs without exposing the physician or patient to additional radiation, while there was no significant difference in the short-term clinical outcome or complication rate.

Citation: Yan Z, Kenmegne GR, Wu L, Pu X, Dong C, Tan G, et al. A comparison between transforaminal lumbar epidural injection performed under picture archiving and communication systemsbased magnetic resonance imaging planning and injection under immediate X-ray guidance. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2024;35(1):45- 53. doi: 10.52312/jdrs.2023.1260.

This study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of West China School of Public Health/ West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University (no: HXSYEC-2022033). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

A written informed consent was obtained from each patient.

Responsible for statistical analysis and the revision of articles: Z.Y.; Responsible for research design and article writing: C.K.; Lecture of the manuscript and literature review: L.W., G.R.K.; Orthopedic care of the patient, collect and sort out relevant original data: C.D., G.T., H.W., X.P.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.