Munjupong S.Malaithong W.Chantrapannik E.Ratchano P.Tontisirin N.Cohen S.P.Mahidol University2024-07-182024-07-182024-07-01Pain Medicine (United States) Vol.25 No.7 (2024) , 451-45815262375https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99717Background: Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) are commonly employed to treat lumbosacral radiculopathy. Despite anti-inflammatory properties, the addition of 3% hypertonic saline has not been studied. Objective: Compare the effectiveness of adding 0.9% NaCl (N-group) vs. 3% NaCl (H-group) in TFESI performed for lumbosacral radiculopathy. Methods: This retrospective study compared TFESI performed with lidocaine, triamcinolone and 0.9% NaCl vs. lidocaine, triamcinolone and 3% NaCl. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who experienced a ≥ 30% reduction in pain on a verbal rating scale (VRS; 0-100) at 3 months. Secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients who improved by at least 30% for pain at 1 and 6 months, and who experienced ≥15% from baseline on the Oswestry disability index (ODI) at follow-up. Results: The H-group experienced more successful pain outcomes than the N-group at 3 months (59.09% vs. 41.51%; P =. 002) but not at 1 month (67.53% vs. 64.78%; P =. 61) or 6 months (27.13% vs 21.55%: P =. 31). For functional outcome, there was a higher proportion of responders in the H-group than the N-group at 3 months (70.31% vs. 53.46%; P =. 002). Female, age ≤ 60 years, and duration of pain ≤ 6 months were associated with superior outcomes at the 3-month endpoint. Although those with a herniated disc experienced better outcomes in general with TFESI, the only difference favoring the H-group was for spondylolisthesis patients. Conclusions: 3% hypertonic saline is a viable alternative to normal saline as an adjunct for TFESI, with randomized studies needed to compare its effectiveness to steroids as a possible alternative.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1093/pm/pnae0192-s2.0-851980220381526463738514395