Lumbale Periduralanästhesie mit Depotkortikosteroiden bei akutem lumboradikulärem Kompressionssyndrom: Möglicher therapeutischer und diagnostischer Wert

Summary Epidural administration of corticosteroids with longterm effect and bupivacaine by translumbar approach in 164 patients suffering from acute low back pain and sciatica caused an immediate, persistent pain relief and a more prompt regression of nerve root compression in comparison with a historical control group of 66 patients. The direct and persistent response on epidural corticosteroid injection may be regarded as a prognostic benign sign. Furthermore, the shortening of strict bed rest of several days and the reduction of hospitalisation in those patients treated successfully are a significant improvement in conservative treatment of acute low back pain when discal hernia is suspected.