Predictors of Clinical Response After Interlaminar Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy

NCT07535476 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MERSINALG-CESI -2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 107
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cervical epidural steroid injection is a commonly used treatment option for patients with cervical radicular pain who do not improve adequately with conservative treatment. Cervical radicular pain typically radiates from the neck to the shoulder, arm, or hand and may be accompanied by numbness, weakness or changes in reflexes. The most common causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis. By reducing inflammation around the affected nerve root, epidural steroid injection may help relieve pain and improve function. Among available techniques, the interlaminar approach is frequently preferred in the cervical region because of its technical feasibility and safety profile. Although interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection is widely used, treatment response varies among patients, and not all individuals experience the same degree of benefit. Identifying the factors associated with better or poorer clinical response may help improve patient selection and reduce unnecessary procedures. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes after interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection in patients with cervical radiculopathy and to investigate demographic, clinical, and procedure-related variables which may predict treatment response. By analyzing pain scores before and after the procedure, this study seeks to better define the predictors of clinical outcome following this intervention.

Conditions

Radiculopathy, Cervical Region; Neck Pain; Disc Disease; Radicular Pain

Keywords

Interventional Pain Management; Treatment Outcome; Injections, Spinal; Injection, Epidural

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Treatment response at 6 months (IMMPACT-defined responder rate)

  Responder defined as ≥50% reduction or ≥4-point decrease in NRS-11 compared with baseline.

  6 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in NRS-11 pain score from baseline

  Baseline, 1 months, and 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Patients Undergoing Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection

This cohort includes eligible patients with cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation who received interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection during the study period. In patients who received more than one procedure, only the first injection was analyzed. Clinical response was evaluated retrospectively based on pain scores documented before the procedure and during follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult patients with cervical radiculopathy related to cervical disc herniation who underwent interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection at the Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Pain Clinic between January 1, 2018, and October 1, 2025. Only patients who met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and had available pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural follow-up data, including Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) pain scores, were included in the analysis.

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Presence of neck and upper extremity pain consistent with cervical radiculopathy
• Persistence of symptoms for at least 1 month despite conservative treatment
• Documented baseline NRS-11 pain score prior to the procedure and follow-up NRS-11 data available through at least 6 months after treatment.

You may not qualify if:

• Active infection during the time of injection
• Allergie to local anesthetics or contrast agents
• History of bleeding diathesis.
• Insufficient follow-up data (less than 6 months of follow-up NRS-11 documentation).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mersin University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Pain Medicine, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine

Mersin, Ciftlikkoy, 33110, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Yolcu G, Toprak CS, Sencan S, Gunduz OH. Dry Needling Plus Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections: Do We Have More Favorable Results in Cervical Disc Herniation? A Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Dec 1;103(12):1081-1087. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002509.

  PMID: 39671525 BACKGROUND

• Yildiz G, Perdecioglu GRG, Akkaya OT, Can E, Yuruk D. Comparison of Selective Nerve Root Pulsed Radiofrequency Vs Paramedian Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Painful Cervical Radiculopathy. Pain Physician. 2024 Feb;27(2):E221-E229.

  PMID: 38324787 BACKGROUND

• Sacaklidir R, Sanal-Toprak C, Yucel FN, Gunduz OH, Sencan S. The Effect of Central Sensitization on Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Cervical Disc Herniation: An Observational Study. Pain Physician. 2022 Sep;25(6):E823-E829.

  PMID: 36122265 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy; Neck Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2026
• First Posted: April 17, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 10, 2026
• Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)