title: Spinal CT-guided interventional procedures for management of chronic back pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Image-guided interventional procedures have arisen as an alternative for management of back pain, with controversial indications and efficacy. This study describes the technique, clinical impact, and complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided infiltrations for the management of chronic back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eleven patients with chronic back pain treated with CT-guided infiltrations were studied prospectively. Procedures performed included nerve root, facet joint, epidural, and sacroiliac joint blocks. Pain intensity was evaluated with use of a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred twenty-two infiltrations were performed in 111 consecutive patients. After 18 months of follow-up, pain improvement lasted for a mean duration of 9 months and the complication rate was less than 1%. Moderate to good pain response was seen in 95% of followed patients and 4% of patients required surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal CT-guided infiltration constitutes an effective therapy for chronic back pain. This series confirms a low complication rate, good response, and high therapeutic value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 92103-8756, USA.
authors.forename: Diego A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bermudez
authors.forename: Orlando M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Diaz
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome