World Neurosurgery X
Short-term outcomes and blinded radiologic correlates after anterior-targeted transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbar disc-related radiculopathy
By Safa Arslan, Ozan Yar, Halit Alioglu and 3 others.
Abstract
Objective
To describe short-term pain outcomes after anterior-targeted transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in lumbar disc-related radiculopathy and explore associations between MRI-based radiologic variables and treatment response.
Methods
This retrospective observational study screened 94 consecutive patients treated with anterior-targeted TFESI by a single surgeon after failure of conservative management. After exclusions, 54 patients with single-level lumbar disc pathology were analyzed. Radicular leg pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, day 7, and 3 months. MRI variables were assessed by an experienced radiologist blinded to clinical outcomes. Treatment response was predefined as a decrease of at least 2 VAS points at 3 months. Steroid type was examined in an exploratory analysis adjusted for baseline VAS.
