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Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2008

Complications and pitfalls of lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections

Authors: Bradly S. Goodman, Lyle W. F. Posecion, Srinivas Mallempati, Matt Bayazitoglu

Published in: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine | Issue 3-4/2008

Abstract

Lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections are used in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain and other lumbar spinal pain syndromes. Complications from these procedures arise from needle placement and the administration of medication. Potential risks include infection, hematoma, intravascular injection of medication, direct nerve trauma, subdural injection of medication, air embolism, disc entry, urinary retention, radiation exposure, and hypersensitivity reactions. The objective of this article is to review the complications of lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections and discuss the potential pitfalls related to these procedures. We performed a comprehensive literature review through a Medline search for relevant case reports, clinical trials, and review articles. Complications from lumbar epidural injections are extremely rare. Most if not all complications can be avoided by careful technique with accurate needle placement, sterile precautions, and a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomy and contrast patterns on fluoroscopic imaging.

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Title: Complications and pitfalls of lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections
Authors: Bradly S. Goodman
Lyle W. F. Posecion
Srinivas Mallempati
Matt Bayazitoglu
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: Humana Press Inc
Published in: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine / Issue 3-4/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1935-9748
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-008-9035-2

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Complications and pitfalls of lumbar interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections

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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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