Nerve root infiltration of the first sacral root with MRI guidance

✍ Scribed by Risto Ojala; Erkki Vahala; Jaro Karppinen; Rauli Klemola; Roberto Blanco-Sequeiros; Teuvo Vaara; Osmo Tervonen

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 308 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/1522-2586(200010)12:4<556::aid-jmri6>3.0.co;2-c

✦ Synopsis

The purpose of this clinical trial was to describe the methodology and evaluate the accuracy of optical tracking-based magnetic resonance (MR)-guided infiltration of the first sacral (S1) root. Thirty-five infiltrations were performed on 34 patients with a 0. 23-T open C-arm magnet installed in a fully equipped operation room with large-screen (36 inches) display and optical navigator utilizing infrared passive tracking. T1 and T2 fast spin-echo (FSE) images were used for localizing the target and fast field echo for monitoring the procedure. Saline as contrast agent in single-shot (SS)FSE images gave sufficient contrast-to-noise ratio. Twenty-four patients had unoperated L5/S1 disc herniation, and 10 had S1 root irritation after failed back surgery. Needle placement was successful in 97% of the cases, and no complications occurred. Outcome was evaluated 1-6 months (mean 2.2 months) after the procedure and was comparable to that of other studies using fluoroscopy or computed tomography guidance. MR-guided placement of the needle is an accurate technique for first sacral root infiltration.