Effects of epidural steroid injections on menstrual cycle in women: An observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of epidural steroid injections on the menstrual cycle of women and to identify risk factors in those with changes. METHODS: A total of 78 women who had epidural steroid injections between the ages of 18 and 55 years were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were called by phone and asked whether there was any change in their menstrual cycles after the epidural injections. Data including demographic and clinical characteristics, body height and weight, education status, alcohol and smoking habits, comorbidities, number of children, birth control method, history of cesarean section, miscarriage, and abortion were recorded. RESULTS: Changes in the menstrual cycle were seen in five of 12 patients who underwent cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection, in 27 of 56 patients who underwent lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection, in one of two patients who underwent lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection, and in three of eight patients who underwent caudal epidural steroid injection. The number of patients with obesity was higher in the patients with changes than those without, indicating a statistically significant difference (41.7% vs. 14.3%, respectively; p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that epidural steroid injections are associated with changes in the menstrual cycle. Obesity is a risk factor for menstrual cycle changes after epidural steroid injections.

An unusual obstacle to the thoracic interlaminar epidural injection for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Interlaminar epidural steroid injections corresponding to dermatomes affected by post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) were found effective in reducing pain. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a non-inflammatory condition that mainly occurs with calcification and ossification of spinal ligaments such as anterior and posterior longitudinal, interspinous, supraspinous ligament, and ligamentum flavum. In this case, it is presented that the failure of the access to the T7-T8 interlaminar space due to the supra/interspinous ligament calcification and ossification accompanied by thoracic DISH in a 73-year-old male for the treatment of PHN.

Comparison of Caudal Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome After Single-level Discectomy: A Prospective, Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Epidural fibrosis (EF) is one of the leading causes of post lumbar surgery syndrome (PLSS). Although there are studies in the literature suggesting that lumbar epidural steroid injections are an effective method in the pain management of PLSS caused by EF, no study is available comparing the effectiveness and safety of caudal and transforaminal approaches. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) versus transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with PLSS. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, assessor-blind study. SETTING: Interventional pain management center at a tertiary care center. METHODS: Patients with low back and radicular pain related to EF following single-level lumbar discectomy were included. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: a CESI group and a TFESI group. All patients were assessed before the procedure (baseline) and at one hour, 3 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months using the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI). Treatment success was defined as a >= 50% decrease in the NRS-11 scores compared to baseline. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients (n = 26 CESI group; n = 30 TFESI group) were included. NRS-11 and mODI scores showed a significant decline in both groups at all follow-ups (P < 0.001). At 3 weeks, the improvement in the mODI scores was significantly higher in the TFESI group (P = 0.020). In all follow-ups, the NRS-11 scores were similar between the groups. At 3 weeks, the rates of patients with a >= 50% decrease in NRS-11 scores were 53.8% and 60% in the CESI group and TFESI group, respectively, while these rates were 30% and 26.7%, respectively, at 3 months. LIMITATIONS: This study had no placebo-control group and a relatively short follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both CESI and TFESI are effective and safe methods in the treatment of PLSS caused by EF following lumbar discectomy. These methods can reduce pain and disability. Although both methods have similar treatment success rates, TFESI seems to be a more effective treatment method in reducing disability at 3-week follow-up.

Assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis with ankle-brachial index in psoriatic arthritis: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis using the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 51 PsA patients (24 males, 27 females; median age 47; range, 41 to 52 years) recruited at our hospital's outpatient clinics between October 2016 and January 2017 and 50 healthy controls (24 males, 26 females; median age: 48.5; range, 40.7 to 56 years). Anthropomorphic measurements and laboratory results were recorded. In patients, the 66 swollen/68 tender joints count, dactylitis score, Leeds Enthesitis Index, Health-related Quality of Life, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and Dermatology Life Quality Index were evaluated. Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index were applied to patients with axial disease. Then, Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index was determined. A Doppler probe and a standard blood pressure cuff were used to calculate the ABI values for each participant. RESULTS: Patients had lower right ABI (median, 1.05 vs. 1.1, p<0.01), lower left ABI (1.04 vs. 1.09, p<0.01) and lower overall ABI (1.03 vs. 1.09, p<0.01) compared with healthy subjects. Twelve (23.5%) patients had borderline ABI, but none of the controls (p<0.01). Patients with borderline ABI had a longer duration of psoriasis (25 vs. 15 years, p=0.03). The distribution of borderline ABI value was statistically significant between patients with axial disease and peripheral disease only (42.1% vs. 12.5%, p=0.02). Disease activity was found as an independent risk factor for borderline ABI in a binary logistic regression (odds ratio 6.306, 95% confidence interval 1.185 to 33.561, p=0.031). CONCLUSION: Lower ABI was found in PsA patients than healthy controls even in those matched with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. All participants with borderline ABI were in the patient group. Borderline ABI was associated with disease activity and disease duration.