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Pain Management
Chronic pain from spinal disorders is
frustrating for both patients and healthcare providers. It is often
difficult to treat with few options other than narcotic analgesia that can
result in a host of additional problems. Depending upon the pain etiology,
Interventional Radiologist may provide additional treatment options.
Vertebroplasty: Vertebroplasty is minimally
invasive procedure used to treat acute and sub-acute vertebral compression
fractures that have occurred as a result of osteoporotic or metastaic
disease. Interventional Radiologists insert a small catheter into the
compressed vertebrae and inject a special bone cement that stabilizes the
fracture. Studies have shown 96% of patients undergoing vertebroplasty
remain satisfied with outcomes 15-18 months
following the procedure.
Spinal Injections: Back pain etiologies are
often multi-factorial. Determining the exact location and etiology of the
pain is essential to planning the most appropriate treatment option. Through
the use of various imaging techniques, physical examination and patient
history, Interventional Radiologists often can identify the source of pain
and provide
palliative treatment.
Celiac Block: Celiac blocks are used to treat
chronic abdominal pain that is the usually the result of pancreatitis or a
malignant process. The Interventional Radiologist, under CT guidance,
inserts a very small needle into the nerve tissue supplying the affected
area and injects a neurolytic agent. Approximately 73% of patients with
malignant disease attain
some degree of pain relief.
Other pain management services include:
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic compression fracture or
metastatic disease, Epidural injections, nerve root blocks, Facet & SI joint
injections: for leg or back pain, Celiac plexus blocks for abdominal pain,
Discography to diagnose pain from degenerative disc disease.