CT fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal and intra-articular facet steroid injections for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy: injectate distribution patterns and association with clinical outcome

ConclusionsTFSI and IFSI led to preferential extraforaminal and retrodural injectate spread, respectively. Targeting the extraforaminal or juxta-articular facet space improved the clinical efficacy of steroid injections when treating cervical radiculopathy.Key Points• During intra-articular facet injection, the injectate spreads from the facet joint to the retrodural space and rarely reaches the epidural and/or foraminal spaces.• Epidural spread of the injectate during an anterolateral transforaminal steroid injection is the least effective for pain relief in patients with cervical radiculopathy.• Injection techniques targeting the extraforaminal or juxta-articular facet space are safer than transforaminal injections and effectively relieve pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Source: European Radiology - June 3, 2020 Category: Radiology Source Type: research