Radiological Pain Therapy of the Spine: Retrospective Analysis of 2021 DeGIR Registry Data

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate image-guided pain therapies on the spine based on data collected in the DeGIR quality assurance (QS) registry for the year 2021, in order to analyze the radiological care situation in Germany.

Materials and Methods

A total of 28915 interventions were analyzed from the DeGIR registry’s documented clinical and procedural data for pain management procedures in 2021. The focus was on spine-related therapies, examining the type, location, and methodology of the applied treatments as well as any complications that occurred.

Results

The analysis included 27139 interventions coded as pain management infiltrations in the spinal region. The average patient age was 62 years. Repeat procedures were performed in 4923 cases (29.1%). CT guidance was used in 95.6% of cases. In 15623 interventions (57.6%), local contrast agent was applied for documentation purposes.

Of the procedures, 7848 (28.9%) were performed on joint structures and 19291 (71.1%) on spinal nerves (transforaminal or translaminar); the majority of interventions, 22184 (81.7%), were carried out in the lumbar and sacral sections of the spine.

Complications were documented in 53 cases (0.2%). The vast majority of these were mild complications of categories A or B (49 cases). One death was reported (0.004%). No neuro-cerebral complications were recorded.

Conclusion

The evaluation of the registry data shows a typical distribution pattern of radiological interventional pain therapies on the spine with regard to epidemiological data, localization, and type of therapy. The vast majority of these are performed under CT guidance with very few complications.

Future data collection efforts should aim to include more precise information on patient history, indications, procedural details, and particularly clinical outcome quality.

Key Point

Radiologically guided interventional pain therapies on the spine in Germany are performed safely and, in the vast majority of cases, under CT imaging guidance.

Citation Format

• Fessl R, Wacker FK, Wilhelm K et al. Radiological Pain Therapy of the Spine: Retrospective Analysis of 2021 DeGIR Registry Data. Rofo 2025; DOI 10.1055/a-2657-9236

Keywords

spine - interventional procedures - epidural - injection - pain therapy

Publication History

Received: 31 May 2025

Accepted after revision: 11 July 2025

Article published online:
01 August 2025

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