This study aims to determine if using a Ballon-Inflatable Catheter and epidural adhesiolysis (EA) could be effective procedures in treating patients with Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and Chronic lumbar spinal stenosis (CLSS).  A total of 77 patients suffering from back pain and leg-radiating pain lasting for > 6 months and unresponsive to previous treatments were considered. All the patients underwent a epidural decompression procedure with the ZiNeu catheter¹ and EA.  Improvements in leg/low back pain and function were sustained for a year. The outcome was evaluated by NRS at rest and in movement, present pain intensity scale (PPI), Modified Rankin scale (MRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) before the treatment and at 1-month, 3-, 6- and 12 months follow-up for all the patients included in the study. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were reported for NRSrest, NRSmov, PPI, MRS and ODI scores. Statistical analysis was carried out with R software version 4.2.3. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the differences in the scores and then choose whether to proceed with the t-test or Wilcoxon.  T-tests were adopted to carry out repeated tests on the same sample. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. A significant reduction of radiating pain was observed at one month follow up in NRSrest and NRSmov, PPI scores, for all the patients (p<0.001). MRS and ODI significantly decreased for all the patients at 1 month follow-up (p<0.001).  Epidural decompression and Adhesiolysis using a Ballon-Inflatable Catheter effectively reduce neuropathic pain intensity and reduce the physical disability in patients who suffer from lumbosacral radiating pain in the context of FBSS and CLSS.  These are preliminary results: collection and analysis of data is still ongoing up-to-date^2-4

REFERENCES

1. Shin, J.W. (2021). Types of ZiNeu Catheters and Their Features. In: Spinal Epidural Balloon Decompression and Adhesiolysis. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7265-4_2
2. Vigneri S, Sindaco G, Gallo G, Zanella M, Paci V, La Grua M, Ravaioli L, Pari G. Effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency with multifunctional epidural electrode in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain with neuropathic features. Pain Physician. 2014 ; 17(6):477-86.
3. Vigneri S, Sindaco G, La Grua M et al. Electrocatheter-mediated High-voltage Pulsed
4. Radiofrequency of the Dorsal Root Ganglion in the Treatment of Chronic Lumbosacral Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study. Clin J Pain. 2020 Jan;36(1):25-33.