Clinical Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Costotransverse Joint Injection in Thoracic Back Pain Patients

Because of its anatomical location and function, the costotransverse (CTRV) joint can be a source of thoracic back pain. In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the CTRV joint injection in thoracic back pain patients with suspected CTRV joint problems. We enrolled 20 thoracic back pain patients with localized tenderness that was provoked by the application of pressure on the affected CTRV joints. We injected it with 0.5 ml of a ropivacaine and triamcinolone mixture at each level. The mean pre-injection pain score decreased by 37.9% (7.2 ± 1.5 to 4.5 ± 1.7, P < 0.001) two weeks after CTRV joint injection. In addition, 70% of patients reported an excellent or good level of satisfaction. We demonstrated that an ultrasound-guided injection of the CTRV joint reduced patients' pain scores and led to a high level of satisfaction at short-term follow-ups in patients with suspected CTRV joint problems.

Comparison of Sono-guided Capsular Distension with Fluoroscopically Capsular Distension in Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effects and advantages of sono-guided capsular distension, compared with fluoroscopically guided capsular distension in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder. METHOD: In this prospective, randomized, and controlled trial, 23 patients (group A) were given an intra-articular injection of a mixture of 0.5% lidocaine (9 ml), contrast dye (10 ml), and triamcinolone (20 mg); they received the injection once every 2 weeks, for a total of 6 weeks, under sono-guidance. Twenty-five patients (group B) were treated similarly, under fluoroscopic guidance. Instructions for the self-exercise program were given to all subjects, without physiotherapy and medication. Effects were then assessed using a visual numeric scale (VNS), and the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), as well as a range of shoulder motion examinations which took place at the beginning of the study and 2 and 6 weeks after the last injection. Incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER), effectiveness, preference, and procedure duration were evaluated 6 weeks post-injection. RESULTS: The VNS, SPADI, and shoulder motion range improved 2 weeks after the last injection and continued to improve until 6 weeks, in both groups. However, no statistical differences in changes of VNS, SPADI, ROM, and effectiveness were found between these groups. Patients preferred sono-guided capsular distension to fluoroscopically guided capsular distension due to differences in radiation hazards and positional convenience. Procedure time was shorter for sono-guided capsular distension than for fluoroscopically guided capsular distension. CONCLUSION: Sono-guided capsular distension has comparable effects with fluoroscopically guided capsular distension for treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Sono-guided capsular distension can be substituted for fluoroscopic capsular distension and can be advantageous from the viewpoint of radiation hazard mitigation, time, cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Ultrasound Guided Placement of Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound guided confirm this change; the symbol has been corrupted in my version placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters via internal jugular vein (IJV). METHOD: The outcomes of 52 hemodialysis catheters placed from January 2000 through December 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 50 patients, 2 received two catheters. Initially, the patency of the IJV was evaluated with ultrasonography, after which the IJV puncturehe was performed under the guidance of ultrasonography. Under fluoroscopy, a 12.5 F double lumen hemodialysis catheter was placed at the caval atrial junction through a subcutaneous tunnel in the neck. To prevent initial failure we performed a flow test using a 50 cc syringe through the catheters in 47 patients. RESULT: Catheter placements were successful in all patients. Early complication was poorly functioning catheters immediately after placement (initial failure) in two cases (4%). However, no patients developed initial failure after we performed flow test using the 50 cc syringe through the catheters. There were no instances of pneumothorax or hemothorax. Nevertheless, late complications included injured catheters in two cases (4%), bacteremia in five (9.5%), and tunnel infection in 2 (4%). Mean duration of catheter use before removal was 86 days (3~55 days). The blood flow rate at first hemodialysis after catheter placement was 230+/-35.5 ml/min and after 1 month was 248+/-18.6 ml/min. Catheters were removed because of matured arteriovenous fistula in 36 cases (69%), bacteremia in five (9.5%), patient death in 7 (13.5%), injured catheters in two (4%) and tunnel infection in 2 (4%). Symptomatic central venous stenosis was not developed during the study period. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters via IJV is a safe method, and is useful for patients requiring long-term hemodialysis.