MRI Before Epidural Steroid Injections?

In patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy, MRI might not affect outcomes substantially, but it can aid planning of injections.

Low back pain is very common, and many patients receive routine spinal imaging (lumbar radiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) despite evidence-based recommendations from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Pain Society (APS) to perform imaging only for patients who have a severe progressive neurological deficit, signs or symptoms that suggest a serious or specific underlying condition (e.g., cancer), or who are candidates for an invasive intervention (Ann Intern Med 2011; 154:181). Various nonsurgical procedures are used for treatment of low back pain. For sciatica or prolapsed lumbar disk with radiculopathy, evidence suggests that epidural steroid injection (ESI) is moderately effective…

Reviewing Author

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders