title: Epidural Injections for Lumbar Radiculopathy and Spinal Stenosis: A Comparative Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of chronic low back pain and related disability is rapidly increasing as are the myriad treatments, including epidural injections. Even though epidural injections are one of the most commonly performed procedures in managing low back and lower extremity pain, starting in 1901 with local anesthetic alone, conflicting recommendations have been provided, despite the extensive literature. Recently Chou et al performed a technology assessment review for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) part of which was published in Annals of Internal Medicine showing lack of effectiveness of epidural steroid injections in managing lumbar radiculopathy and spinal stenosis. In contrast, multiple other publications have supported the efficacy and use of epidural injections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of 3 categories of epidural injections for lumbar and spinal stenosis: performed with saline with steroids, local anesthetic alone, or steroids with local anesthetic and separate facts from opinions.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Cochrane Library, US National Guideline Clearinghouse, prior systematic reviews, and reference lists. The literature search was performed through August 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized trials, either placebo or active control, of epidural injections for lumbar radiculopathy and spinal stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed utilizing Cochrane review methodologic quality assessment and Interventional Pain Management Techniques - Quality Appraisal of Reliability and Risk of Bias Assessment (IPM-QRB). Evidence was summarized utilizing principles of best evidence synthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. There were 9 placebo-controlled trials evaluating epidural corticosteroid injections, either with sodium chloride solution or bupivacaine, compared to placebo injections. There were 12 studies comparing local anesthetic alone to local anesthetic with steroid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A meta-analysis of 5 studies utilizing sodium chloride or bupivacaine with steroid showed a lack of efficacy.A comparison of lidocaine to lidocaine with steroids in 7 studies showed significant effectiveness from baseline to long-term follow-up periods. Meta-analysis showed a similar effectiveness for pain and function without non-inferiority of lidocaine compared to lidocaine with steroid at 3 months and 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review was restricted to the data available with at least 3 months of follow-up, which excluded some studies. The inclusion criteria were restricted to English language studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidural corticosteroid injections for radiculopathy or spinal stenosis with sodium chloride solution or bupivacaine were shown to be ineffective. Lidocaine alone or lidocaine in conjunction with steroids were significantly effective.
authors.forename: Laxmaiah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manchikanti
authors.forename: Nebojsa Nick
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Knezevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Louisville.
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D059408:Pain Management; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013256:Steroids