Esi booked, cause of pain not known, mri showed no compressed nerve so is esi the right treatment? serious risks how likely, csf leak, paralyses etc. pain/burning spreads from face/teeth/neck/shoulder

Indications: Yes, there are distinct risks with esi's, especially in the neck, and important to avoid a particulate steroid. Furthermore, according to research studies, could be useful mainly if a demonstrated nerve compression is present on imaging studies. The american academy of neurology feels these injections are usually inappropriate in most cases.

Face pain: Face pain that spreads to the neck and shoulder is generally not spine related. Other causes can be from the jaw, mouth or brain. An epidural steroid injection will not relieve face or teeth pain. See a neurosurgeon for evaluation of the face pain.

Facial pain: Have you seen a dentist, oral surgeon or oral pain specialist? Your pain symptoms could result from TMJ dysfunction, trigeminal neuralgia, head/neck infections or tumors, or a combination of any of the above.