Objective: To study on the incidence of complications from C-arm guided lumbar transforarninal epidural injections in patients with radiculopathy caused by either lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated intervertebral disc.
Materials & Methods: A total...
Objective: To study on the incidence of complications from C-arm guided lumbar transforarninal epidural injections in patients with radiculopathy caused by either lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated intervertebral disc.
Materials & Methods: A total of 1200 patients with back/leg pain for more 3 months and received therapeutic injections in recent 1-year period was evaluated. All procedures were performed by one neurosurgeon with careful monitoring by nursing staffs during and after the procedures. Two party observers reviewed medical charts including immediate postprocedure complications using standardized questionnaire.
Results: Average 1.9 injections per patient were done. Complications per injection seen included 12 transient headaches (0.9%), 5 increased back pain(0.4%), 4 increased leg pain(0.3%), 4 facial flushing(0.3%), 2 increased blood sugar in an insulin-dependent diabetic(0.2%), I vasovagal reaction(0.08%), and I hypertension(0.08%). All of these complications resolved within several hours to 2 weeks and there were no need for further specific management. There were no major or permanent complications. The incidence of minor complications was 2.3% per injection. All reactions resolved without morbidity.
Conclusion: Although effectiveness varies with different pathologies, the C-arm guided lumbar transforaminal epidural injection seems to be a safe and effective procedure for these patients when carefully performed and closely observed with appropriate nursing care.