Outcomes of interlaminar and transforminal spinal injections.
Epidural spinal injections can be administered via a translaminar or transforaminal route, depending on the clinical scenario. When it is more desirable to target a specific nerve root, a transforaminal approach is typically used, and when the target is more diffuse, a translaminar method is chosen. Both are commonly used and can be utilized similarly in the lumbar or cervical spine. However, it is essential that the clinician understand the risks and benefits of these injections. In the lumbar spine, both translaminar epidural steroid injections (TLESI) and transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) have been shown to provide up to 6 months of pain relief, though long-term benefits are less reliable. In the cervical spine, translaminar injections may provide longer relief and have a lower complication rate than cervical transforaminal injections. Proper technique is essential to minimize the rate of these rare but occasionally severe complications.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York 10016, USA. joshua.landa@gmail.com
Joshua
J
Landa
Yong
Y
Kim
D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids