In-Hoo Ra1, Woo-Kie Min1. 1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Unlike other sites, there is difficulty in performing TFESI at the L5-S1 level because the iliac crest is an obstacle to needle placement. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the optimal angle of fluoroscopy for insertion and advancement of a needle during L5 TEFSI. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of patients undergoing fluoroscopy-guided L5 TFESI in the prone position. A total of 80 patients (40 men and 40 women) with radiating pain of lower limbs were enrolled. During TFESI, we measured the angle at which the L5 vertebral body forms a rectangular shape and compared men and women. Then, we measured area of safe triangle in tilting angle of fluoroscopy from 15° to 35° and compared men and women. RESULTS: The mean cephalocaudal angle, where the vertebral body takes the shape of a rectangle, was 11.0° in men and 13.9° in women (P = 0.007). In men, the triangular area was maximal at 18.3 mm² with an oblique view angle of 25°. In women, the area was maximal at 23.6 mm² with an oblique view angle of 30°. At an oblique view angle of 30° and 35°, the area was significantly greater in women (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When TFESI is performed at the L5 region in the prone position, placement of fluoroscopy at a cephalocaudal angle of 11.0° and an oblique angle of 25° in men and cephalocaudal angle of 13.9° and an oblique angle of 30° in women would be most reasonable.
BACKGROUND: Unlike other sites, there is difficulty in performing TFESI at the L5-S1 level because the iliac crest is an obstacle to needle placement. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the optimal angle of fluoroscopy for insertion and advancement of a needle during L5 TEFSI. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of patients undergoing fluoroscopy-guided L5 TFESI in the prone position. A total of 80 patients (40 men and 40 women) with radiating pain of lower limbs were enrolled. During TFESI, we measured the angle at which the L5 vertebral body forms a rectangular shape and compared men and women. Then, we measured area of safe triangle in tilting angle of fluoroscopy from 15° to 35° and compared men and women. RESULTS: The mean cephalocaudal angle, where the vertebral body takes the shape of a rectangle, was 11.0° in men and 13.9° in women (P = 0.007). In men, the triangular area was maximal at 18.3 mm² with an oblique view angle of 25°. In women, the area was maximal at 23.6 mm² with an oblique view angle of 30°. At an oblique view angle of 30° and 35°, the area was significantly greater in women (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When TFESI is performed at the L5 region in the prone position, placement of fluoroscopy at a cephalocaudal angle of 11.0° and an oblique angle of 25° in men and cephalocaudal angle of 13.9° and an oblique angle of 30° in women would be most reasonable.