Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks—Midline: Ultrasound Guidance

Abstract

Performing medial branch blocks with ultrasound guidance is an alternative method to perform diagnostic blocks. Theoretically, using ultrasound guidance negates the need of fluoroscopy, can help avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to both patient and physician, and can be just as accurate as fluoroscopically guided medial branch blocks.

Keywords

Back Pain, Facet, Facet Joint Nerve, Lumbar, Lumbosacral, Medial Branch, Spondylosis, ultrasound, Zygapophysial Joint, Zygapophysial Joint Nerve

Note: Please see pages ii , iii for a list of anatomic terms/abbreviations used throughout this book.

Performing diagnostic medial branch blocks with ultrasound guidance is an alternative method to the fluoroscopic technique. Theoretically, using ultrasound guidance negates the need of fluoroscopy, can help avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to both patient and physician, and can be just as accurate as fluoroscopically guided medial branch blocks.

The ultrasound-guided lumbar medial branch block will be described using an in-plane technique with an out-of-plane confirmation. This approach is the most convenient and the least technically demanding and allows one to accurately and consistently reach the target point.