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Efficacy of Selective Nerve Root Block as a Diagnostic Tool in Radiculopathic Patients

Corresponding author: Hyoung-Joon Chun Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Medical Center, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222-1, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea Tel: +82-2-2290-8492 Fax: +82-2-2281-0954 E-mail: tdy815@hanyang.ac.kr Objective: Selective nerve root block (SNRB) is used for the diagnosis and treatment of different spinal disorders. However, the effectiveness of SNRB as a diagnostic tool is unclear. In this study, the efficacy of SNRB as a diagnostic tool for lumbar radiculopathy was evaluated. Methods: A total of 154 patients who underwent surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease between March 2009 and February 2016 were enrolled in the present study. Patients were divided into two groups (with or without preoperative SNRB). The postoperative outcomes were evaluated using Odom’s criteria at 30 days after surgery. Clinical and radiological findings were compared between the two groups. Results: Among the 154 patients, 52 (33.8%) were included in the SNRB group. The patients in the SNRB group tended to have improved outcomes after surgery compared with those in the non-SNRB group (p=0.077). In addition, the proportion of patients with favorable outcomes was significantly greater in the SNRB group (88.5% vs. 72.5%, p=0.041). Conclusion: SNRB is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating spinal disorders with radicular pain.