Epidural steroids as a pharmacological approach

C. Reale¹, A.M. Turkiewicz², C.A. Reale¹, S. Stabile¹, P. Borgonuovo³, F. Apponi¹

¹Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Institute, University “La Sapienza” of Rome; ²Azienda Ospedaliera USL RM G, Tivoli (RM); ³Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy, IDI Sanità, Rome, Italy.

ABSTRACT
Cervicogenic headache is a relatively common pain syndrome related to functional and/or degenerative alterations of the cervical spine tract. Administration of steroid represents an effective therapy for this headache, due to the anti-inflammatory effects combined with its direct analgesic effects on the C fibers. The epidural injection of steroids, while requesting skilled personnel for its execution, gives short term (2-month) pain relief with few risks or side effects. Moreover, epidural steroids allow reduction of analgesic drug consumption.

Key words
Cervicogenic headache, cervical epidural space, methylprednisolone.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Prof. Carlo Reale, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Institute, University “La Sapienza” of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000: 18 (Suppl. 19): S65-S66.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.