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Complications associated with epidural steroid injections
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Regional Anesthesia
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Epidural steroid injections have few reported serious complications. Subarachnoid injections, especially multiple ones, have a few reported adverse events like meningitis and arachnoiditis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Medical Literature Review
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding epidural steroid injection (ESI) hazards.
- Objective data supporting these concerns is limited.
- This review examines adverse reactions reported for ESIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey adverse reactions associated with epidural steroid injections.
- To assess the safety profile of epidural and subarachnoid steroid injections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of peer-reviewed publications.
- Included reports on epidural/subarachnoid injections for sciatica.
- Surveyed adverse effects, review articles, and animal studies.
Main Results:
- Few serious complications reported for epidural steroid injections.
- Subarachnoid injections linked to aseptic/bacterial meningitis, arachnoiditis, and conus medullaris syndrome.
- Most subarachnoid complications followed multiple injections.
Conclusions:
- Serious complications from epidural steroid injections are rare.
- Subarachnoid injections have a few reported complications, often with prolonged, multiple injections.