Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Scar formation in the epidural space due to previous operations or presence of inflammation in and around the nerve roots or spinal nerves in patients with back pain or radiculopathy have been documented in patients suffering from spinal pain. Several methods targeting the scar formation and inflammation have been used. Epidural neuroplasty is one of the recently used methods. ⋯ The most commonly seen complications of epidural neuroplasty are due to the procedure or the drugs administered. Complications relating to the procedure are usually seen immediately, while complications relating to drug administration are typically seen later. In this article, we discuss not only the possible complications during epidural neuroplasty, but their prevention and management as well.
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In this article we are reporting on the use of fluoroscopy-guided 6% Phenol injections for the ablation of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs), utilizing retrospective review of case reports. We reviewed 10 patients (7 male and 3 female) who have known sacroiliitis proven by fluoroscopically guided sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injection (age ranged from 25 to 78). They all had 2 to 4 weeks of relief after the injections utilizing Bupivacaine 0.5% and 80 mg of depomedrol. ⋯ Ten percent had a 20% to 50% improvement with a total duration of 12 1/2 weeks. Ten percent had a less than 20% improvement. With intra-articular injections of phenol for the ablation of the SIJs, we have found a significant improvement in pain relief accompanied by prolonged duration of relief.