Title: Side effects and complications of cervical epidural steroid injections
Abstract: Two hundred and four cervical epidural injections of corticosteroids were performed on 142 patients for the treatment of cervical pain over a I-yr period.Injections were p@ormed at the C7-Tl interspace with lo-15 mL ~(0.5% lidocaine containing 1 mg per kg of methylfn-e d r&one acetate.Four complications occurred: two dural punctures without sequelae; one episode of upper extremity weakness, which resolved in 24 hr; and one episode of nausea and vomiting lasting 12 hr.In addition, two side effects were frequently reported: @neck lasting 12-24 hr occurred in 13.2% of patients, and a mild facial&hing with subjective (but not objective) fever lasting about 12 hr occurred in 9.3% of patients.In this large series, the procedure appears safe to use in an outpatient setting.