Intraarticular glucocorticosteroid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joint under fluoroscopic control. A retrospective comparative study in patients with mechanical and inflammatory disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the overall efficacy in various disorders of glucocorticoid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints, performed via the posterior route under fluoroscopic control.

METHODS: Retrospective study of 26 patients including 16 (19 injections) with mechanical disorders and ten (16 injections) with inflammatory disorders.

RESULTS: 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).

CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoid injection into the lateral atlantoaxial joints is a valid treatment alternative in patients who fail to respond to conventional noninvasive therapy.