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.

Galiano, Klaus; Obwegeser, Alois Albert; Bale, Reto; Harlander, Christoph; Schatzer, Reinhold; Schocke, Michael; Gruber, Hannes · Reg Anesth Pain Med · 2007

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide a teaching tool to facilitate the acquirement of periradicular and facet-joint infiltration techniques in the cervical and lumbar spine. On 3 fresh cadavers, a computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar and cervical region was obtained. By use of a dedicated image navigation and reconstruction system, sonographic images were generated and fused with the collected CT data set. The sonoanatomy can be instantly compared with the correlating CT-images. This new bimodal method allows for simultaneous views of CT and ultrasound images. Multiplanar imaging of ultrasound-guided infiltrations is facilitated. This teaching tool provides immediate CT-verification of sonographically identified structures and helps in the identification of bony landmarks, which are necessary for facet-joint and periradicular injections.

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