Sogacot Sociedad Gallega de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología
Sherif Melekaa, Ajanta Patrab, Evan Minkoffb and Kieran Murphyc a Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD b Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore MD c Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD
Address correspondence to Sherif Meleka, MD, Johns Hopkins at Greenspring Station, 2360 West Joppa Road, Suite 206, Lutherville, MD 21093
Summary: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of lumbar facet blocks guided by either conventional fluoroscopy or CT fluoroscopy (CTF). Seventy-one blocks were performed with conventional fluoroscopy, and 58 were performed using CTF. Pain scores were measured before and after the procedure. The CTF group had a greater percentage decrease in pain (79.5% ± 31.1%) than did the conventional fluoroscopy group (55.5% ± 38.0%; P < .0005). We conclude lumbar facet blocks by using CTF guidance results in greater diagnostic accuracy than do conventional fluoroscopy.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:1001-1003, May 2005.