Accuracy of CT guidance of lumbar facet joint block

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013 Mar;200(3):673-6. doi: 10.2214/AJR.12.8829.

Abstract

Objective: Lumbar facet joint block is generally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The purpose of this study was to assess the technical success rate of facet joint block under CT guidance. The CT scanner was operated tableside with a step-and-shoot mode for intermittent needle visualization, and the amount of radiation used to perform the procedures was estimated.

Conclusion: CT-guided facet joint block is safe and rapid. Use of CT ensures reliable needle guidance with extremely high procedural accuracy at an effective radiation dose comparable to that of a procedure performed with 1 minute of fluoroscopic guidance.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage*
  • Arthrography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / prevention & control*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zygapophyseal Joint / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local