Effect of transforaminal epidural polydeoxyribonucleotide injections on lumbosacral radiculopathy: A case report

RATIONALE: Transforaminal epidural glucocorticoids administration is widely performed for the management of lumbosacral radiculopathy. However, it may worsen the condition of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) was recently noted as a substitute for glucocorticoids. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 44-year-old male patient was admitted to our pain clinic with symptoms of low back pain with severe pain and tingling sensation of left posterolateral leg. He had type 2 DM medicated with Glimepiride and Metformin. Blood glucose level was 367 mg/dL. He declined to use glucocorticoid. DIAGNOSES: He was diagnosed as left foraminal disc protrusion at L4–5, left subarticular disc protrusion at L5-S1. INTERVENTIONS: Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural PDRN injections were carried out. OUTCOMES: The patient was followed up for more than 6 months and demonstrated good improvement in lumbosacral radiculopathy without any complications. LESSONS: This is the first successful report on epidural injection of PDRN.