Factors Predicting Favorable Short-Term Response to Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify predictors of short-term outcomes associated with a lumbosacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The medical records of 218 patients, who...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dong Yoon Park, Seok Kang, Joo Hyun Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
Series:Medicina
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/55/5/162
Description
Summary:<i>Background and Objectives:</i> The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify predictors of short-term outcomes associated with a lumbosacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The medical records of 218 patients, who were diagnosed with lumbosacral radiculopathy and treated with a TFESI, were reviewed in this retrospective study. A mixture of corticosteroid, lidocaine, and hyaluronidase was injected during TFESI. Patients with &gt;50% pain relief on the numerical rating scale compared with the initial visit constituted the good responder group. Demographic, clinical, MRI, and electrodiagnostic data were collected to assess the predictive factors for short-term outcomes of the TFESI. <i>Results:</i> A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a shorter duration of symptoms and a positive sharp wave (PSW)/fibrillation (Fib) observed in electrodiagnostic study (EDx) increased the odds of significant improvement 2&#8722;4 weeks after the TFESI. <i>Conclusions:</i> Shorter duration of symptoms and PSW/Fib on EDx were predictors of favorable short-term response to TFESI.
ISSN:1010-660X