Photonic Needle and Sleeve Study

Rationale: evaluate the potential of the photonic needle (photonic needle technology) to discriminate tissues that are relevant to recognize during intraforaminal (transforaminal) epidural injection on lumbar level. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the potential of the photonic needle to discriminate between correct and incorrect placement of the needle tip in the target area of the procedure (M4 - tissue), as confirmed by contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy. The secondary objectives are to investigate the differences in the optical signals obtained with the photonic needle at a set of different pre-defined positions (M1, M2 and M3) encountered along the needle trajectory during above-mentioned procedures, and to detect potential intravascular positioning of the needle-tip at the target point (M4 - blood), Study design: this is a single blind observational study. Study population: Patients who have radicular pain on lumbar level, for example caused by disc herniation, and/or lateral recessus stenosis and/or radiculopathy eci. Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameters are: 1) successfully acquired diffuse reflectance spectra obtained at measurement point M4: midforaminal, halfway the foramen (the target treatment location) as encountered during image-guided intraforaminal injections on lumbar level, 2) confirmation of target area with fluoroscopy and injection of contrast fluid (gold standard), 3) "Certainty score" on a 3-point scale (1 = uncertain, 2 = certain, 3 = very certain) will be provided by the physician. The type of tissue present at the needle tip will be based on the information available from imaging . The secondary study parameters are: 1) successfully acquired diffuse reflectance spectra obtained at measurement points M1-M3: M1 in muscle, M2 extra-foraminal, M3 foraminal at a distance 1/3 of the diameter of the foramen from the entrance of the foramen, as encountered during image-guided intraforaminal injec