Cervical epidural steroid injections in the management of cervical radiculitis: interlaminar versus transforaminal. A review.

There has been recent concern regarding the safety of cervical epidural steroid injections. The decision to proceed with treatment requires balancing the risk and benefits. This article is an in depth review of the efficacy, complications, and technique of both interlaminar and transforaminal cervical epidural steroid injections in the management of cervical radiculitis.

Complications and side effects of cervical and lumbosacral selective nerve root injections.

Objective: To determine the incidence of complications and side effects of cervical and lumbosacral selective nerve root injections (SNRIs).

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized controlled trial of consecutive patients with independent interviews for immediate, 1-week, and 3-month follow-ups.

Setting: Tertiary, academic spine center.

Diagnostic selective nerve root blocks: indications and usefulness.

Diagnostic SNRIs are a useful tool in the diagnosis of radicular pain in atypical presentations. Diagnostic SNRI is indicated in the following circumstances: (1) for atypical extremity pain; (2) when imaging studies and clinical presentation do not correlate; (3) when electromyography and MRI are not corroborative or are equivocal; (4) for anomalous innervations, such [figure: see text] as conjoint nerve roots or furcal nerves [71]; (5) for failed back surgery syndrome with atypical extremity pain; and (6) for transitional vertebrae. Patients should have demonstrated a failure to improve with less invasive treatment.