• Wei Chen, Guo-hai Tong, Chao-xian Wu, Huan Zhao, and Ke-min Chen.
• Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital Luwan Branch, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200020, China.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2007 Jul 3;87(25):1742-5.

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of intradiscal electrothermal treatment (IDET) combined with epidural steroid injection for discogenic lumbago-leg pain.MethodsFifty-nine patients with discogenic lower back pain and radical pain underwent IDET and CT guided spinal cord epidural steroid injection (Limethason). Thirty-eight patients with discogenic lower back pain and radical pain underwent IDET only. The clinical efficacy was observed within 1 week, 1 week-1 month, 1 - 3 months, and 3 - 6 months after the treatment.ResultsThe efficacy rates within 1 week, 1 week-1 month, 1 - 3 months, and 3 - 6 months after the treatment of the IDET plus epidural steroid injection group were 71%, 55%, 81%, and 89% respectively, and those of the IDET only group were 55%, 34%, 76% and 87% respectively. The efficacy rate 1 week-1 month postoperatively of the IDET plus epidural steroid injection group was significantly higher than that of the IDET only group (chi(2) = 4.375, P < 0.05), and the efficacy rates at other time points were not significantly different between these 2 groups.ConclusionIDET combined with epidural steroid injection relieves post-IDET edema and induces pain more effectively.

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