Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome
Published on: May 26, 2023
Corticosteroid-Induced Psychosis After a Single Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, fischer.mj96@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are a well-described side effect of systemic corticosteroid therapy and can range from mild to severe.
Case Presentation:
We describe a case of substance-induced psychosis following epidural injection of 10 mg dexamethasone. Three days after the procedure, the patient developed symptoms including anger, hostility, insomnia, paranoia, and delusions. Symptoms resolved between 7 and 17 days.
Discussion:
In the past 50 years, there have been several case reports of severe neuropsychiatric effects following intraarticular or other interventional pain injections with various corticosteroids. More recent reviews have identified possible risk factors, including corticosteroid dose, patient age, sex, and history of neuropsychiatric disorder, among others, although these conclusions are not duplicated across all studies.
Conclusion:
Recommendations for practice include patient and family education on possible adverse effects of corticosteroid administration, utilization of minimum effective doses for interventional procedures, and the consideration of close follow-up and multidisciplinary coordination, especially in high-risk patients.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

