title: Ultrasound-guided and CT-navigation-assisted periradicular and facet joint injections in the lumbar and cervical spine: a new teaching tool to recognize the sonoanatomic pattern.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to provide a teaching tool to facilitate the acquirement of periradicular and facet-joint infiltration techniques in the cervical and lumbar spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  On 3 fresh cadavers, a computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar and cervical region was obtained. By use of a dedicated image navigation and reconstruction system, sonographic images were generated and fused with the collected CT data set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sonoanatomy can be instantly compared with the correlating CT-images. This new bimodal method allows for simultaneous views of CT and ultrasound images. Multiplanar imaging of ultrasound-guided infiltrations is facilitated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This teaching tool provides immediate CT-verification of sonographically identified structures and helps in the identification of bony landmarks, which are necessary for facet-joint and periradicular injections.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. klaus.galiano@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galiano
authors.forename: Alois Albert
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Obwegeser
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bale
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harlander
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schatzer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schocke
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging