Indications and efficacy of O2-O3 intradiscal versus steroid intraforaminal injection in different types of disco vertebral pathologies: a prospective randomized double-blind trial with 517 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of perigangliar steroid and local anesthetic with intradiscal O2-O3 injection versus steroid and local anesthetic intraforaminal injection in different types of herniation and grade of disc degeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 517 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Control Group (159 men, 101 women; age range 25-89 years) underwent steroid and local anesthetic intraforaminal injection. Study Group (163 men, 94 women; age range 22-92 years) underwent the same treatment with addiction of O2-O3 intradiscal injection. Procedures were performed under computed tomographic guidance. Visual Analog Scale Questionnaire was administered before treatment and at intervals, the last at 6-month follow-up. Results were compared with Kruskal-Wallis and t test.

RESULTS: After 6 months, O2-O3 discolysis was successful in 106 (41.24 %) Study Group patients with extrusions compared with 9 Control Group patients (3.5 %) (P < 0.001). In 89 (34.6 %) Study Group patients with protrusions, success rate was statistically significant compared with 5 Control Group patients (1.9 %). Significant difference was detected in the presence of Grade I, II, III of Degenerated Disc in 185 of Study Group patients (68.4 %) compared with 4 Control Group patients (1.5 %).

CONCLUSIONS: The addition of O2-O3 discolysis is more effective at 6 months than perigangliar steroid and local anesthetic injection, especially in cases of herniated or protruded discs and with a Grade of Disc Degeneration from mild to moderate range.