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Biomedical subjects

Frank J E Falco

Publications and source records attributed to Frank J E Falco.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lumbar spine injection and interventional procedures in the management of low back pain.

Lumbar spine injections play a role in the evaluation and treatment of low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. These injection procedures have been demonstrated to be effective in determining the pain generator for low back pain. There is still debate as to the long-term pain relief from epidural and intra-articular facet joint injections, and no controlled studies have examined the long-term effects of SI joint injections. Additional investigation is certainly warranted to evaluate further the long-term benefits and determine with patients would benefit the most from these injections. Current evidence validates that these injections provide temporary relief of low back and radicular leg pain up to several months, if not longer. This duration of pain relief creates an opportunity to maximize rehabilitation efforts while symptoms are minimal.

Analgesia, Epidural↗
PubMed2004

Cervical nerve root stimulation: demonstration of an extra-foraminal technique.

Since the description of electrical stimulation of nerve trunks as a means of providing pain relief, innovative peripheral nerve and nerve root stimulations have been developed. An extra-foraminal technique of electrical stimulation of cervical nerve roots resulting in reduction of upper extremity radicular pain is demonstrated here. Electrical stimulation of the C6 and C7 nerve roots was accomplished using a four-electrode spinal cord stimulator lead that was placed percutaneously within the exit zone of the neuroforamina using an extra-foraminal approach. Subsequent C6 and C7 nerve root stimulation provided a reduction in arm pain within the distribution of the stimulation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Visualization of spinal injection procedures using gadolinium contrast.

STUDY DESIGN: A series of six case reports. OBJECTIVE: The case reports demonstrate successful use of gadolinium contrast for visualization of spinal injection procedures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A variety of spinal injection procedures were performed with gadolinium contrast. Adequate visualization was accomplished with gadolinium in performing these injections and demonstrated that it is a viable alternative to nonionic iodinated contrast materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case reports included a chart review, performance of spinal injections with gadolinium under fluoroscopic guidance, and postprocedure follow-up at 2 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Gadolinium was visible under fluoroscopy in all six cases, demonstrating its value in performing spinal injection procedures as an alternative to nonionic iodinated contrast materials. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium is a viable alternative to nonionic iodinated contrast materials for visualization of spinal injection procedures.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed2003

Lumbar discography using gadolinium in patients with iodine contrast allergy followed by postdiscography computed tomography scan.

STUDY DESIGN: A series of four case reports are presented. OBJECTIVE The case reports document completion of lumbar discography with gadolinium contrast followed by successful computed tomography scanning of intradiscal gadolinium. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar discography using gadolinium in cases of iodinated contrast allergy with magnetic resonance imaging used to visualize intradiscal gadolinium after the procedure has been described. To the authors' knowledge, there are no reports of gadolinium discography followed by computed tomography scanning of intradiscal gadolinium. METHODS: The reported cases involved a chart review, performance of discography with gadolinium under fluoroscopic guidance, and postdiscography computed tomography scanning of the discs injected during the procedure. RESULTS: Gadolinium was visible under fluoroscopy in all four cases. It was visualized on postdiscography computed tomography scans performed both early and late after the procedure. Normal discs retained gadolinium for a longer period than discs with annular disruption. CONCLUSIONS: Gadolinium discography is a safe, viable alternative to conventional discography in the setting of a patient with iodinated contrast allergy. Postdiscography computed tomography scans adequately visualize intradiscal gadolinium in a more timely and cost-effective manner than magnetic resonance imaging.

Adult↗