Sonographically guided caudal epidural steroid injections

Abstract

Objective: Caudal epidural steroid injections are used for the symptomatic treatment of radicular lumbosacral pain syndromes, but incorrect injection placement has been recognized as a common problem with the routinely used unguided technique. We aimed to explore the use of sonography to facilitate this procedure.

Methods: In patients with clinically unreliable anatomic landmarks, high-resolution real-time sonography was used to identify those landmarks and to assist in correct needle placement.

Results: Sonography enabled localization of the sacral hiatus landmarks. We found this method particularly useful for guiding needle placement in patients with moderate obesity.

Conclusions: Real-time sonography can facilitate caudal epidural steroid injections.