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Disk entry: a complication of transforaminal epidural injection--a case report
1Springs Rehabilitation, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, USA. kfinn@springsrehab.net
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|July 9, 2005
Summary
Identifying the cause of low back pain is crucial for effective treatment. This case report highlights a rare complication of lumbar epidural injections: intradiskal contrast placement, emphasizing the need for careful fluoroscopic guidance.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Radiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of lumbar radicular pain is essential for appropriate treatment.
- Fluoroscopically guided spinal injections with contrast are common but carry risks.
- Identifying contrast placement is critical for procedural accuracy and safety.
Observation:
- A case report details a 72-year-old male with L4 radiculopathy.
- The patient underwent a fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection.
- Intradiskal placement of contrast dye occurred as a complication during the procedure.
Findings:
- Intradiskal contrast placement during lumbar transforaminal epidural injections is a potential complication.
- This complication can lead to serious issues like diskitis and inaccurate postprocedure assessments.
- This is the first documented case of intradiskal contrast placement in the United States.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical role of fluoroscopy and contrast enhancement in spinal injections.
- Highlights the importance of recognizing and managing complications associated with these procedures.
- Reinforces the need for vigilance in procedural technique to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.