Cervical transforaminal injection: review of the literature, complications, and a suggested technique.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper is to review the literature of cervical transforaminal injections, resulting complications, and to suggest a safe technique. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed. Both the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for any article relating to cervical epidural injections, cervical transforaminal injections, and complications relating to cervical epidural or cervical transforaminal injections. Finally, a method for performing a cervical transforaminal injection safely is described. CONCLUSIONS The review of the literature revealed: 1. There is a paucity of literature regarding cervical transforaminal injections; 2. There is no accepted standard technique for performing cervical transforaminal injections; and 3. More research and study must be performed regarding the risk versus benefit, technique, and outcome of cervical transforaminal injections.