Cervical epidural blockage in diagnosis and treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis

Objective To investigate the value and outcome of cervical epidural blockage in diagnosis and treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis. Methods A prospective study was performed on 93 patients with sympathetic cervical spondylosis, who were diagnosed clinically. Ninety three patients were randomly divided into 3 groups with 31 in each. The patients in group A and B were injected with 5ml 0.5% lidocain through cervical epidural tube,then injected with 5ml 0.9% normal saline after sympathetic symptoms recurred; patients in group A were injected with beta-methasone through cervical epidural tube in the second day; patients group C did not receive cervical epidural blockage. All 3 groups were followed by immobilization with neck collar for 1 month and regular exercise of neck and back muscles. Results The misdiagnosis rate with sympathetic cervical spondylosis was 12.91% (4/31)in group A and 16.13%(5/31)in group B. Rate of excellent and good outcome of 3 month and 1 year treatment in group A was 72.42% and 89.66%,while those were 43.33% and 46.67% in group B, 44.44% and 48.15% in Group C, respectively. There were significant differences between the rate in group A and that in group B and C (P0.05) , while there was no statistical significance between group B and group C (P0.05). Conclusion Cervical epidural blockage is of value in diagnosis and treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis; and cervical epidural blockage combined with exercise of neck and back muscles is an effective method to cure sympathetic cervical spondylosis.