Epidural Injections Contraindicated for Lumbar Radiculopathy in May-Thurner Syndrome: A Case Report

A 59-year-old patient presented to the chronic pain clinic with a 6-week history of worsening lumbar back pain, bilateral thigh pain, and unilateral radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild discogenic and facetogenic disease, but significant epidural venous plexus engorgement compressing the thecal sac. The patient reported previous treatment by a vascular surgeon for May-Thurner Syndrome, a type of inferior vena caval obstruction, yet had not experienced these specific complaints. A discussion with the radiologist confirmed worsening of the patient's May-Thurner Syndrome was the likely cause of the patient's symptoms. The patient was referred back to the surgeon to relieve the venous obstruction because routine injection therapy would be ineffective.