Intraarticular glucocorticosteroid injection into the lateral atlantoaxialjoint under fluoroscopic control - A retrospective comparative study in patients with mechanical and inflammatory disorders
J. Glemarec et al., Intraarticular glucocorticosteroid injection into the lateral atlantoaxialjoint under fluoroscopic control - A retrospective comparative study in patients with mechanical and inflammatory disorders, JOINT BONE, 67(1), 2000, pp. 54-61
Objectives. To evaluate the overall efficacy in various disorders of glucoc
orticoid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints, performed via the
posterior route under fluoroscopic control. Methods. Retrospective study of
26 patients including 16 (19 injections) with mechanical disorders and ten
(16 injections) with inflammatory disorders. Results. The response rate wa
s 69.3%, the mean pain scale score decrease was 52.3+/-40.1%, and the mean
duration of pain relief was 8.1+/-11.8 months. All three parameters were si
gnificantly (P < 0.005) better in the subgroup with inflammatory disorders
than in the subgroup with mechanical disorders (response rate, 100% vs 50%;
pain scale score decrease, 89 +/- 27% vs 34.2 +/- 40%, and pain relief dur
ation, 16.9 +/- 14.9 months vs 24.5 months). A single patient developed a s
ide effect (moderately severe hypertension). Conclusion. Glucocorticoid inj
ection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints is a valid treatment alternativ
e in patients who fail to respond to conventional noninvasive therapy. (C)
2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.