Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Procedures for Chronic Pain Management

Abstract

Ultrasonography has multiple advantages over traditional radiologic imaging modalities when used for interventional procedures. It allows improved visualization of the anatomy while avoiding ionizing radiation and risks associated with contrast use. It has proved superiority at accuracy of delivery and procedural effectiveness over blind procedures when used in association with interventional pain procedures. Although limited in its ability to see through bony structures, ultrasound has utility in visualizing soft tissues and vascular structures in anatomic regions of interest resulting in increased use for posterior neuraxial, periaxial, peripheral nerve and joint-related structures. Current evidence for use in these settings is presented here. In some cases, optimal utility may be improved by combining ultrasonography with other imaging modalities.

KEYWORDS :

• chronic pain management
• interventional pain management
• joint injections
• knee injection
• neuraxial injections
• shoulder injections
• ultrasound-guided interventional pain
• ultrasound-guided neuraxial injections

Financial & competing interests disclosure

TJ Ness receives support from NIH DK51413 and contract support from Medtronics, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

Bolded text is not discussed as part of this review.

Additional information

Funding

TJ Ness receives support from NIH DK51413 and contract support from Medtronics, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.