Inadvertent Intradiscal Injection with TFESI Utilizing Kambin's Retrodiscal Approach in the Treatment of Acute Lumbar Radiculopathy.

INTRODUCTION: There is very strong evidence for the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in relieving lumbar radicular pain due to a herniated disk. However, case studies have documented paralysis as a potential complication from this approach as the artery of Adamkiewicz may traverse within the subpedicular "safe triangle." Kambin's retrodiscal approach has been postulated as a safe means to the transforaminal approach to avoid the artery of Adamkiewicz. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old woman presented with right-sided lumbar radicular pain at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 level secondary to a herniated disk. As conservative therapies failed to improve her radicular back pain, the patient opted to proceed with an epidural steroid injection. She subsequently underwent a right L3-L4 and L4-L5 transforaminal epidural steroid injection via Kambin's retrodiscal approach. Although anteroposterior and lateral views revealed optimal needle placement, live and postcontrast fluoroscopy revealed an unavoidable and inadvertent intradiscal spread. CONCLUSION: Kambin's approach is at the level of the intervertebral disk and may increase the incidence of intradiscal needle entry and injection.