[Injection of the sacrolumbar roots: a complementary method of staging sciatica. 18 cases]

The injection of the sacrolumbar roots allows, in the first place, the root to be made opaque in order to determine its morphology and, in the second place and above all, causes the disappearance of the radicular pain after injection of a local anesthetic, which helps the degree of sciatica to be identified. This method, which should be limited to exceptional cases, seems to be useful in patients who have undergone lumbar surgery and for whom the interpretation of contrast x-ray exams poses a particularly delicate problem. It can also be advisable when these exams are not conclusive or when the results do not coincide with the clinical data. Since March, 1974, 18 patients have undergone this exam. In 14 cases the disappearance of the radicular syndrome, after injection of xylocain close to the root, has allowed the root in question to be identified. In 3 cases radicular injection has practically made it possible to rule out an organic lesion. This exam had no side effect and was always tolerated even by two patients allergic to iodine.