The Impact of Iodinated Contrast Media Used in Epidural Steroid Injections on Thyroid Function Tests.

OBJECTIVE

The use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) inevitably increases in conjunction with the growing number of epidural steroid injection (ESI) administrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between thyroid functions and ICM exposure through ESI procedures.

DESIGN

This is a prospective observational study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a university hospital pain management center.

METHODS

This study was conducted between June 2022 and February 2023. Participants between the ages of 18 and 65 who had received an ESI at our outpatient pain clinic comprised the study's population. Thyroid function tests (free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)) were measured before and three weeks after the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 124 participants (80 women and 44 men) were analyzed. The average amount of contrast media administered was 1.34 ml. A significant increase was observed only in the FT4 value compared to pre-procedure (p = 0.017), and no patient developed thyroid disorders.

CONCLUSION

The current study presents an analysis of the relationship between ICM and thyroid functions in the ESI population.