Prediction of TEI Success in Sciatica

Exclusion Criteria

• •Diagnosis of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy secondary to LDH or one-level spinal stenosis
• •Age under 18 years
• •Severe multisegmental spinal disease
• •Anatomical abnormalities that may complicate the procedure technically (e.g. severe scoliosis)
• •Active malignancy or infectious disease
• •Use of immunosuppressive drugs
• •Use of systemic corticosteroids in preceding 3 months
• •Previous treatment with TEI for current episode of lumbar radiculopathy
• •History of lower back surgery at the same lumbar level
• •Circumstances that prevent treatment with TEI (e.g. use of anticoagulants that cannot be temporarily discontinued, allergy against steroids or local anaesthetic)
• •Pregnancy
• •Major language barrier