Factors Associated with Treatment Success After Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection for Cervical Radicular Pain

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pain Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Cervical disc herniation frequently causes radicular pain.
• Interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) is a common treatment modality.
• Predictors of ILESI success in this context require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify demographic, clinical, and radiological factors associated with successful outcomes after cervical ILESI for radicular pain.
• To evaluate the efficacy of ILESI in patients with cervical disc herniation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 92 patients with cervical disc herniation and unilateral radicular pain treated with ILESI.
• Collection of demographic data, symptom duration, and pain scores (Numerical Rating Scale) at baseline and follow-up (3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months).
• Assessment of cervical spine MRI findings, including disc herniation level, spinal canal stenosis, neural foraminal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.

Main Results:

• Treatment success, defined as ≥50% pain reduction at 6 months, was achieved in 58.7% of patients.
• Severe neural foraminal stenosis (OR=3.02) and severe spinal canal stenosis (OR=5.31) were significantly associated with reduced treatment success.
• No significant association was found between demographic factors or symptom duration and treatment success.

Conclusions:

• Cervical ILESI demonstrates a favorable treatment success rate at six months for radicular pain due to cervical disc herniation.
• The severity of neural foraminal and spinal canal stenosis are critical factors influencing the success of ILESI.
• Radiological assessment of stenosis is crucial for predicting ILESI outcomes in patients with cervical disc herniation.