Comparison of Epidural Steroid Injection Efficiency with Two Different Doses in Radiculopathies Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniations.

Comparison of Epidural Steroid Injection Efficiency with Two Different Doses in Radiculopathies Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniations.

World Neurosurg. 2018 Dec 24;:

Authors: Tugba OU, Tulay E, Hakan GO

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) have been increasingly used in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain resistant to conservative modalities. While different steroids can be used at different doses, minimal effective steroid doses are recommended to reduce side effects. This study aimed to examine and compare the efficacy of 40mg and 80mg of methylprednisolone in TFESIs.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.
METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who had undergone unilateral L5-S1 TFESIs under fluoroscopy included to the study. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at one hour, three weeks, and three months after the TFESIs. The Short Form 36 (SF-36), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index (ILBPDI) were used to determine outcome measures.
RESULTS: This study evaluated 33 patients who underwent TFESIs with 40mg of methylprednisolone and 34 patients who underwent TFESIs with 80mg of methylprednisolone. While there were no significant differences between either group's outcome measures, both groups showed significant improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life at three weeks and three months after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: TFESIs with 40mg and 80mg are effective for the treatment of pain that results from lumbar disc herniation. They also positively affect disability and quality of life. However, neither steroid dose is more efficient than the other. Therefore, we believe that the smaller dose should be preferred to reduce the potential side effects of steroids.

PMID: 30590213 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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