Ultrasound Guided Spine Injections: Advancement Over Fluoroscopic Guidance?

Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports

Volumn 1, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 104-113

  Yoon, Steve H ^a   O’Brien, Sarah Lee ^b   Tran, Mike ^b  

^a KERLAN JOBE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC   (United States)

^b VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM   (United States)

Author keywords

Injections; Sonography; Spine; Ultrasound

Indexed keywords

EID: 84979866449     PISSN: None     EISSN: 21674833     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s40141-013-0016-z     Document Type: Article

References (74)

1. Rubin DI. Epidemiology and risk factors for spine pain. Neurol Clin. 2007;25(2):353–71. DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2007.01.004
2. Andersson GB. Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet. 1999;354(9178):581–5. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(99)01312-4
3. Manchikanti L, et al. Analysis of the growth of epidural injections and costs in the medicare population: a comparative evaluation of 1997, 2002, and 2006 data. Pain physician. 2010;13(3):199–212.
4. Benyamin RM, et al. A systematic evaluation of thoracic interlaminar epidural injections. Pain Physician. 2012;15(4):E497–514.
5. Friedly J, Standaert C, Chan L. Epidemiology of spine care: the back pain dilemma. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2010;21(4):659–77. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2010.08.002
6. Manchikanti L, et al. Comprehensive review of epidemiology, scope, and impact of spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2009;12(4):E35–70.
7. Manchikanti L, et al. Utilization of interventional techniques in managing chronic pain in the medicare population: analysis of growth patterns from 2000 to 2011. Pain Physician. 2012;15(6):E969–82.
8. •• Yun DH, et al. Efficacy of ultrasonography-guided injections in patients with facet syndrome of the low lumbar spine. Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):66–71. To date, the only randomized control trial comparing clinical efficacy of US versus fluoroscopy in lumbar facet injections with respect to functional and disability outcomes. DOI: 10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.66
9. Grau T, et al. The lumbar epidural space in pregnancy: visualization by ultrasonography. Br J Anaesth. 2001;86(6):798–804. DOI: 10.1093/bja/86.6.798
10. Curatolo M, Eichenberger U. Ultrasound in interventional pain management. Eur J Pain Suppl. 2008;2:78–83. DOI: 10.1016/S1754-3207(08)70072-5
11. Hotta K. Ultrasound-guided epidural block. Masui. 2008;57(5):556–63.
12. Lew HL, et al. Introduction to musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound: examination of the upper limb. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;86(4):310–21. DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31803839ac
13. Smith J, Finnoff JT. Diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound: part 1. Fundamentals. PM&R. 2009;1(1):64–75. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2008.09.001
14. •• Deimel G, Jelsing E, Hall M. Muskuloskeletal ultrasound in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep. 2013;1(1):38–47.
15. Klocke R, Jenkinson T, Glew D. Sonographically guided caudal epidural steroid injections. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22(11):1229–32.
16. Pekkafahli MZ, et al. Sacroiliac joint injections performed with sonographic guidance. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22(6):553–9.
17. Eichenberger U, Greher M, Curatolo M. Ultrasound in interventional pain management. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2004;8(4):171–8. DOI: 10.1053/j.trap.2004.10.005
18. Greher M, et al. Ultrasound-guided lumbar facet nerve block: accuracy of a new technique confirmed by computed tomography. Anesthesiology. 2004;101(5):1195–200. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200411000-00020
19. Boswell MV, et al. Interventional techniques: evidence-based practice guidelines in the management of chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2007;10(1):7–111.
20. Yoon JS, et al. The feasibility of color Doppler ultrasonography for caudal epidural steroid injection. Pain. 2005;118(1–2):210–4. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.08.014
21. Bush K, Hillier S. Outcome of cervical radiculopathy treated with periradicular/epidural corticosteroid injections: a prospective study with independent clinical review. Eur Spine J. 1996;5(5):319–25. DOI: 10.1007/BF00304347
22. • Narouze SN. Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures in pain management: evidence-based medicine. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2010;35(2 Suppl):S55–8. Provides brief review of the evidence-based medicine literature from 1996 to 2009 of role of ultrasound in pain management and spine interventional procedures. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e3181d24658
23. Karmakar MK, et al. Real-time ultrasound-guided paramedian epidural access: evaluation of a novel in-plane technique. Br J Anaesth. 2009;102(6):845–54. DOI: 10.1093/bja/aep079
24. Grau T, et al. Real-time ultrasonic observation of combined spinal–epidural anaesthesia. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2004;21(1):25–31.
25. Karppinen J, et al. Cost effectiveness of periradicular infiltration for sciatica: subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(23):2587–95. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-200112010-00013
26. Narouze SN. Ultrasound-guided cervical spine injections: ultrasound “prevents” whereas contrast fluoroscopy “detects” intravascular injections. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37(2):127–30. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e31823f3c80
27. Couri B, Hurley D, Kasi R. Spinal injections for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal pain. Oper Tech Sports Med. 2012;20(2):154–71. DOI: 10.1053/j.otsm.2012.04.003
28. Galiano K, et al. Ultrasound-guided periradicular injections in the middle to lower cervical spine: an imaging study of a new approach. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2005;30(4):391–6.
29. Yamauchi M, et al. Ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block: spread of solution and clinical effect. Pain Med. 2011;12(8):1190–5. DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01170.x
30. Jee H, et al. Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block versus fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal block for the treatment of radicular pain in the lower cervical spine: a randomized, blinded, controlled study. Skelet Radiol. 2012;42(1):69–78. DOI: 10.1007/s00256-012-1434-1
31. Jee H, et al. Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block versus fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal block for the treatment of radicular pain in the lower cervical spine: a randomized, blinded, controlled study. Skelet Radiol. 2013;42(1):69–78. DOI: 10.1007/s00256-012-1434-1
32. Galiano K, et al. Real-time sonographic imaging for periradicular injections in the lumbar spine: a sonographic anatomic study of a new technique. J Ultrasound Med. 2005;24(1):33–8.
33. Gofeld M, Bristow SJ, Chiu S. Ultrasound-guided injection of lumbar zygapophyseal joints: an anatomic study with fluoroscopy validation. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37(2):228–31. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e3182461144
34. Botwin KP, et al. Complications of fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural injections. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;80(6):416–24. DOI: 10.1097/00002060-200106000-00005
35. Tsui BC, et al. Confirmation of caudal needle placement using nerve stimulation. Anesthesiology. 1999;91(2):374–8. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199908000-00010
36. Renfrew DL, et al. Correct placement of epidural steroid injections: fluoroscopic guidance and contrast administration. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1991;12(5):1003–7.
37. Chen CP, et al. Ultrasound as a screening tool for proceeding with caudal epidural injections. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(3):358–63. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.11.019
38. Chen CP, et al. Ultrasound guidance in caudal epidural needle placement. Anesthesiology. 2004;101(1):181–4. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200407000-00028
39. Shankar H, Zainer CM. Ultrasound guidance for epidural steroid injections. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2009;13(4):229–35. DOI: 10.1053/j.trap.2009.06.007
40. Vydyanathan A, Narouze S. Ultrasound-guided caudal and sacroiliac joint injections. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2009;13(3):157–60. DOI: 10.1053/j.trap.2009.06.014
41. Laplante BL, DePalma MJ. Spine osteoarthritis. PM R. 2012;4(5 Suppl):S28–36. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.03.005
42. Hansen H, et al. A systematic evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions. Pain Physician. 2012;15(3):E247–78.
43. Kennedy DJ, Shokat M, Visco CJ. Sacroiliac joint and lumbar zygapophysial joint corticosteroid injections. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2010;21(4):835–42. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2010.06.009
44. Chen CP, et al. Ultrasound-guided injection techniques for the low back and hip joint. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011;90(10):860–7. DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e318228c084
45. Rosenberg JM, Quint TJ, de Rosayro AM. Computerized tomographic localization of clinically-guided sacroiliac joint injections. Clin J Pain. 2000;16(1):18–21. DOI: 10.1097/00002508-200003000-00004
46. Hendrix RW, Lin PJ, Kane WJ. Simplified aspiration or injection technique for the sacroiliac joint. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1982;64(8):1249–52.
47. Cohen SP, Raja SN. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2007;106(3):591–614. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200703000-00024
48. Boswell MV, Colson JD, Spillane WF. Therapeutic facet joint interventions in chronic spinal pain: a systematic review of effectiveness and complications. Pain Physician. 2005;8:101–14.
49. van Kleef M, et al. 12. Pain originating from the lumbar facet joints. Pain Pract. 2010;10(5):459–69. DOI: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2010.00393.x
50. Siegenthaler A, et al. Accuracy of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks of the cervical zygapophysial joints. Anesthesiology. 2012;117(2):347–52. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3182605e11
51. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. Chronic cervical zygapophysial joint pain after whiplash. A placebo-controlled prevalence study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21:1737–45. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199608010-00005
52. Bogduk N, Marsland A. The cervical zygapophysial joints as a source of neck pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1988;13(6):610–7.
53. Binder DS, Nampiaparampil DE. The provocative lumbar facet joint. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine. 2009;2(1):15–24. DOI: 10.1007/s12178-008-9039-y
54. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, McDonald GJ, Bogduk N. Percutaneous radio-frequency neurotomy for chronic cervical zygapophyseal-joint pain. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:1721–6. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199612053352302
55. Bogduk N. International Spinal Injections Society guidelines for the performance of spinal injections procedures. Part I: Zygapophysial joint blocks. Clin J Pain. 1997;13:285–302. DOI: 10.1097/00002508-199712000-00003
56. Nelemans PJ, deBie RA, deVet HC, Sturmans F. Injections therapy for subacute and chronic benign low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26:501–15. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-200103010-00014
57. Shealy C. Percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of spinal facets: treatment for chronic back pain and sciatica. J Neurosurg. 1975;43:448–51. DOI: 10.3171/jns.1975.43.4.0448
58. Heckmann JG, Maihofner C, Lanz S, Rauch C, Neundorfer B. Transient tetraplegia after cervical facet joint injection for chronic neck pain administered without imaging guidance. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2006;108:709–11. DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2005.07.002
59. Edlow BL, Wainger BJ, Frosch MP, Copen WA, Rathmell JP, Rost NS. Posterior circulation stroke after C1–C2 intraarticular facet steroid injection: evidence for diffuse microvascular injury. Anesthesiology. 2010;112:1532–5. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181d7b15a
60. Finlayson RJ, et al. Cervical medial branch block: a novel technique using ultrasound guidance. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37(2):219–23. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e3182374e24
61. Dreyfuss P, et al. Specificity of lumbar medial branch and L5 dorsal ramus blocks. A computed tomography study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997;22(8):895–902. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199704150-00013
62. Eichenberger U, et al. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided block of the third occipital nerve: prospective for a new method to diagnose C2–C3 zygapophysial joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2006;104(2):303–8. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200602000-00016
63. Siegenthaler A, et al. Ultrasound anatomy of the nerves supplying the cervical zygapophyseal joints: an exploratory study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2011;36(6):606–10. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e3182286af5
64. Narouze SN. Ultrasound-guided cervical spine injections: ultrasound “prevents” whereas contrast fluoroscopy “detects” intravascular injections. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37(2):127–30. DOI: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e31823f3c80
65. • Curatolo M, Eichenberger U. Ultrasound-guided blocks for the treatment of chronic pain. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2007;11(2):95–102. Reviews the useful applications and specific techniques of ultrasound in interventional chronic pain management. DOI: 10.1053/j.trap.2007.02.012
66. Loizides A, et al. Ultrasound-guided injections in the middle and lower cervical spine. Med Ultrasound. 2012;14(3):235–8.
67. Lee SH, et al. Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency neurotomy in cervical spine: sonoanatomic study of a new technique in cadavers. Clin Radiol. 2008;63(11):1205–12. DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2008.06.001
68. Galiano K, et al. Ultrasound-guided facet joint injections in the middle to lower cervical spine: a CT-controlled sonoanatomic study. Clin J Pain. 2006;22(6):538–43. DOI: 10.1097/01.ajp.0000202977.98420.27
69. Galiano K, et al. Ultrasound-guided and CT-navigation-assisted periradicular and facet joint injections in the lumbar and cervical spine: a new teaching tool to recognize the sonoanatomic pattern. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32(3):254–7.
70. Greher M, et al. Ultrasound-guided lumbar facet nerve block: a sonoanatomic study of a new methodologic approach. Anesthesiology. 2004;100(5):1242–8. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200405000-00028
71. Shim JK, et al. Ultrasound-guided lumbar medial-branch block: a clinical study with fluoroscopy control. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2006;31(5):451–4.
72. Jung H, et al. The validation of ultrasound-guided lumbar facet nerve blocks as confirmed by fluoroscopy. Asian Spine J. 2012;6(3):163–7. DOI: 10.4184/asj.2012.6.3.163
73. Galiano K, et al. Ultrasound guidance for facet joint injections in the lumbar spine: a computed tomography-controlled feasibility study. Anesth Analg. 2005;101(2):579–83. table of contents. DOI: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000158609.64417.93
74. • Galiano K, et al. Ultrasound-guided versus computed tomography-controlled facet joint injections in the lumbar spine: a prospective randomized clinical trial. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32(4):317–22. First prospective randomized clinical trial (RCT) study comparing US guided lumbar facet joint injections to a CT controlled procedure.