To evaluate the overall efficacy in various disorders of glucocorticoid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints, performed via the posterior route under fluoroscopic control.
Retrospective study of 26 patients including 16 (19 injections) with mechanical disorders and ten (16 injections) with inflammatory disorders.
The response rate was 69.3%, the mean pain scale score decrease was 52.3 +/- 40.1%, and the mean duration of pain relief was 8.1 +/- 11.8 months. All three parameters were significantly (P < 0.005) better in the subgroup with inflammatory disorders than in the subgroup with mechanical disorders (response rate, 100% vs 50%; pain scale score decrease, 80 +/- 27% vs 34.2 +/- 40%, and pain relief duration, 16.9 +/- 14.9 months vs 24.5 months). A single patient developed a side effect (moderately severe hypertension).
Glucocorticoid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints is a valid treatment alternative in patients who fail to respond to conventional noninvasive therapy.