Background & Aims

Augmented reality (AR) and navigation systems hold promise for enhancing precision
and reducing difficulty in medical procedures. Lumbosacral transforaminal epidural
injection is a common procedure for diagnosing and treating radiculopathy. However,
the precise insertion of the needle, while avoiding bones and nerves, often presents
challenges. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate our AR
navigation system for the procedure.

Methods

This randomized controlled study included 28 patients with low back pain and unilateral
lower extremity radiating pain. Transforaminal epidural injection was performed in the
patients, who were allocated to either the classical C-arm-guided group (control group,
n=14) or the AR navigation-guided group (AR-NAVI group, n=14). For the AR-NAVI
group we utilized a real-time tracking system to visualize the spinal structure and
needle placements. Procedure duration and the number of C-arm image usage were
measured.

Results

This randomized controlled study included 28 patients with low back pain and unilateral
lower extremity radiating pain. Transforaminal epidural injection was performed in the
patients, who were allocated to either the classical C-arm-guided group (control group,
n=14) or the AR navigation-guided group (AR-NAVI group, n=14). For the AR-NAVI
group we utilized a real-time tracking system to visualize the spinal structure and
needle placements. Procedure duration and the number of C-arm image usage were
measured.

Conclusions

The AR navigation system reduces procedure duration and radiation exposure during
lumbosacral transforaminal epidural injections. However, further technological
advancements and rigorous validation of this system are necessary.

References

Jun EK, Lim S, Seo J, Lee KH, Lee JH, Lee D, Koh JC. Augmented Reality-Assisted Navigation System
for Transforaminal Epidural Injection. J Pain Res 2023;16:921-31.
Lim S, Ha J, Yoon S, Tae Sohn Y, Seo J, Chul Koh J, Lee D. Augmented Reality Assisted Surgical
Navigation System for Epidural Needle Intervention. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc
2021;2021:4705-8.

Presenting Author

Yookyung Jang

Poster Authors

Jae Chul Koh

MD.PhD.

Korea University College of Medicine

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Treatment/Management: Interventional Therapies – Injections/Blocks