Three CT Signs of Nerve-root Suffering in Low-back Sciatica: a Study of Their Frequency in Patients Referred for CT-guided Nerve-root Infiltration.

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Sciatica, Lumbosacral Radiculopathy, Low Back Pain

In brief

Retrospective, observational, single-centre study conducted at Nice University Hospital (Pasteur 2), Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. Objective: to assess the prevalence of three CT signs sought next to the clinically suspected nerve root in patients with low-back sciatica referred for CT-guided foraminal/peri-radicular infiltration: (1) nerve-root size asymmetry/hypertrophy, (2) peri-radicular infiltration, and (3) spontaneous root hyperdensity. Hypothesis: these signs are associated with the suffering nerve root responsible for the clinical presentation. Pre-infiltration planning CT scans (period 30 Jan 2024 - 11 Jul 2024) are reviewed by the operating radiologists (4th-, 5th- and 6th-year residents). Target enrollment: 400 patients. Data analysed to date: 104 patients / 105 infiltrations. Preliminary prevalence: root asymmetry/hypertrophy 45.5%; peri-radicular infiltration 50.5%; spontaneous hyperdensity 23.8%; at least 2 of 3 signs 38.6%; all 3 signs 16.8%. Mean age 65 years (range 25-93); approximately 62 women / 42 men; predominant levels L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07690449

Run by

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

People needed

400

Starts

2024-01-30

Expected to finish

2026-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adult (>= 18 years)
• Low-back sciatica / radicular pain with a systematized distribution
• Referred for CT-guided foraminal or peri-radicular infiltration at Pasteur 2 Hospital (Nice) between 30 Jan 2024 and 11 Jul 2024.
• Available and interpretable pre-infiltration planning CT

You may not qualify if…

• Planning CT missing or not interpretable
• Missing data on the three studied signs
• Radicular pain of tumoral, infectious or recent traumatic origin
• Spinal history precluding analysis of the studied root

Where it is running

• CHU NICE — Nice, Alpes Maritimes, France (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.