The impact of contrast spread patterns to clinical outcomes of cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection: An observational study

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the relationship between epidural contrast spread patterns, and the treatment success of cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection (CIESI) for cervical radicular pain. MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 76 patients aged between 20 and 60 years who had neck and unilateral upper limb pain due to a single-level disc herniation at C5-C6 or C6-C7 were included. Severity of pain and disability were assessed with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) and Neck Pain Disability Scale (NPDS) at baseline, three weeks, and three months after the treatment. Contrast dispersion prior to injection of the medication was graded in anteroposterior fluoroscopic view. Treatment success was defined as a ?50% improvement at three months in the NRS-11 scores compared to baseline. RESULTS: A significant improvement in pain and disability scores was observed at three months compared to baseline (p[removed]