Fluoroscopic cervical paramidline interlaminar epidural steroid injections for cervical radiculopathy: effectiveness and outcome predictors

Objective The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of fluoroscopic cervical paramidline interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ESI) as well as to assess outcome predictors. Methods One hundred forty-three patients (M:F = 89:54, mean age = 53.1 years old) who received cervical paramidline interlaminar ESIs in 2011 were included in this study. Initial improvements at 2 weeks were assessed. For possible outcome predictors, clinical and MR variables were statistically analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U , Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results Initial improvements after cervical paramidline interlaminar ESIs at 2 weeks were reported in 115 of 143 patients (80.8 %). Patients with paresthesia only and no pain showed significantly fewer improvements after ESIs (11/19, 57.9 %) than patients with pain (104/124, 83.9 %) ( p = 0.013). Other variables were not statistically significant outcome predictors. Conclusions Fluoroscopic paramidline interlaminar cervical ESIs effectively managed cervical radiculopathy, irrespective of the cause or zone of nerve root compression, and patients with paresthesia only experienced fewer improvements.