Evaluation of the L2 spinal nerve root infiltration as a diagnostic tool for discogenic low back pain.

Background: To assess whether unilateral L2 infiltration with local anesthetic can be used to identify patients who will have negative discograms and thus eliminate the need for the discogram. Discogenic low-back pain is considered to have afferent pathways in the sinuvertebral nerves, mainly originating from the ventral rami of the spinal nerves. There is evidence that pain arising from the lower lumbar intervertebral discs may be transmitted through the sympathetic afferent fibers contained in the L2 spinal nerve root.

Cerebellar herniation after cervical transforaminal epidural injection.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to inform readers of potential catastrophic complications associated with performing cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections.

Case Report: A 31-year-old man presented to the pain clinic with a history of cervical radicular pain and right upper-extremity radicular symptoms. He was referred from the orthopedic spine clinic for evaluation for epidural steroid injection, having failed conservative treatment consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, oral steroids, and physical therapy.