The article presents the results of a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy caused by a paracentral L5-S1 disc herniation. The study found that both approaches were equally effective in reducing pain and disability in patients. The CESI group and the TFESI group showed significant improvement in pain and disability scores at 3 weeks and 3 months compared to baseline. The treatment success rate at 3 months was 77% for the CESI group and 73% for the TFESI group, with no significant difference between the groups. However, CESI required shorter fluoroscopy time and less radiation exposure compared to TFESI
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : the highest rated day surgery hospital on Harley Street UK
Published article
CESI is equally effective as TFESI in the management of S1 radiculopathy due to a paracentral L5-S1 disc herniation. Both approaches can reduce pain and disability while CESI requires shorter fluoroscopy time and less radiation exposure.
Spine Epidural Lumbar Caudal transforaminal Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Objective: Epidural steroid injections are frequently performed to manage radicular symptoms. Most research investigating the effectiveness of different routes of epidural injections were conducted with non-homogeneous groups. In this study our aim was to investigate the efficacy of caudal versus transforaminal approaches in patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy secondary to a paracentral L5-S1 disc,
Abstract
Objective: Epidural steroid injections are frequently performed to manage radicular symptoms. Most research investigating the effectiveness of different routes of epidural injections were conducted with non-homogeneous groups. In this study our aim was to investigate the efficacy of caudal versus transforaminal approaches in patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy secondary to a paracentral L5-S1 disc herniation.
Study design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Setting: A university hospital pain management center.
Methods: The study was conducted between January 2022 and February 2023. Patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy were randomly divided into two groups: the caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) and the transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) group. Severity of pain and disability were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months after treatment. 50% or more improvement in NRS-11 was defined as treatment success. Fluoroscopy time and doses of exposed radiation were also recorded.
Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the final analysis (n = 30 for each group). Significant improvement in pain and disability scores was observed at 3rd week and 3rd month compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Treatment success rate at 3rd month was 77% for the CESI group and 73% for the TFESI group without any significant difference between the groups (p = 0.766).
CESI is equally effective as TFESI in the management of S1 radiculopathy due to a paracentral L5-S1 disc herniation. Both approaches can reduce pain and disability while CESI requires shorter fluoroscopy time and less radiation exposure.
Keywords: Caudal epidural steroid injection; disc herniation; lumbosacral radiculopathy; transforaminal epidural steroid injection.
The London Spine Unit : the highest rated day surgery hospital on Harley Street UK
Read the original publication:
Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection versus Transforaminal ESI for Unilateral S1 Radiculopathy: A Prospective, Randomized Trial