Preliminary clinical experiences of percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis with racz catheter for neural foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine [Lomber nöral foraminal stenoz için racz katater ile perkütan epidural adezyolizis başlangi{dotless}ç klinik deneyimleri]

Objectives: the authors evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (pea) in patients with neural foraminal stenosis without significant central spinal canal stenosis of the lumbar spine. methods: seventeen patients with neural foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine who underwent pea with racz catheters were included in the study. patients were evaluated for pain score,medication intake,significant pain relief,and complications. results: pain scores and medication intake were significantly decreased 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after pea compared to pre-pea evaluations. however,older patients with long-standing low back pain experienced little regression of pain. there were no major complications related to the epidural adhesiolysis. significant pain relief decreased gradually over time from 82.4% at 3 days to 76.5% at 6 months. conclusions: although our study had several limitations,these results suggested that pea for neural foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine without significant lumbar spinal canal stenosis was a safe and effective procedure. therefore,pea may be considered as an initial treatment procedure before invasive operations are performed.