Valutazione elettrofisiologica di pazienti affetti da patologia disco-radicolare trattati con infiltrazioni paravertebrali di O₂-O₃: Dati preliminari

This study was carried out in conjunction with a neurophysiology laboratory to assess the efficacy of O₂-O₃ therapy, searching for a possible mechanism to measure the therapeutic effect besides clinical examination and neuroradiological investigation. Our series comprised patients with mono or bilateral root disease treated as outpatients with paraspinal injection of O₂-O₃ (12 sittings with 8-10 cc of mixture per injection at a concentration of 20 μg), An EMG was performed before treatment. In one study group, electromyographic follow-up examinations including measurement of F wave latency were performed at fixed times (two, six and twelve months after treatment). In another two groups we focused on quantifying pain by administering the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and studying the nociceptor R III or surofemoral reflex. Our EMG findings at six months show no significant differences in the study of muscle whereas there was a reduction in F wave latency. The elicitation threshold of the R III reflex was raised, indicating an increased pain threshold and hence an analgesic effect of O₂-O₃ therapy. Although VAS is a subjective measurement, it showed good results after treatment. We present our preliminary findings to be added to the results which will emerge as the study progresses, examining more patients.