Ultrasound- versus fluoroscopy-guided injections in the lower back for the management of pain: a systematic review

ConclusionFluoroscopic guidance of injections for the management of lower back pain is similar in efficacy to ultrasound guidance. The exact role of ultrasound guidance needs to be further studied, especially for nerve root injections, where safety is the major concern.Key Points• There were no differences in pain relief, procedure time, number of needle passes, changes in disability indices, complications or adverse events, post-procedure opioid consumption, or patient satisfaction between ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided injections for the management of lower back pai n.• Given the lack of evidence to demonstrate superior efficacy and the added harms with fluoroscopic guidance, ultrasound guidance may be the preferred method of guidance for injections to manage lower back pain in appropriate patients. Further study is required to understand the exact role of ultr asound in image-guided injections.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research