Contralateral Lumbar Radicular Pain Shortly After a Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection An Unusual Sequel

Abstract

Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are valuable techniques used in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain and other lumbosacral pain syndromes. 1 Complications from these procedures may arise from improper or unsafe needle placement, injection of contrast, or the administration of the final injectate including corticosteroids and anesthetic. Potential risks include infection, hematoma, intravascular injection of medication, direct nerve trauma, subdural injection of medication, air embolism, disk entry, urinary retention, radiation exposure, and hypersensitivity reactions, to mention a few. 2 In addition, selecting the correct nerve root(s) is of prime importance during a diagnostic TFESI.(3) The purpose of this case report was to highlight the importance of considering bilateral transforaminal injections in the treatment of large-sized central lumbar disk herniations.