title: Selective nerve root blocks.
abstract: Selective nerve root blocks are an effective way of diagnosing and treating radicular pain in many patients. Although traditionally performed under fluoroscopic guidance, computed tomography (CT) and CT fluoroscopy have been increasingly used to direct needle placement. This article discusses the indications and technique of selective nerve root blocks in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as the evidence supporting their use in the treatment of patients with radiculopathy and/or back pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: F Reed
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Murtagh
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed