CT fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal and intra-articular facet steroid injections for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy: injectate distribution patterns and association with clinical outcome.

• During intra-articular facet injection, the injectate spreads from the facet joint to the retrodural space and rarely reaches the epidural and/or foraminal spaces. • Epidural spread of the injectate during an anterolateral transforaminal steroid injection is the least effective for pain relief in patients with cervical radiculopathy. • Injection techniques targeting the extraforaminal or juxta-articular facet space are safer than transforaminal injections and effectively relieve pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy.