Paravertebral Block: An Improved Method of Pain Control in Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Background and Purpose Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage remains a painful procedure in many cases despite the routine use of large amounts of intravenous sedation. We present a feasibility study of thoracic paravertebral blocks in an effort to reduce pain during and following the procedure and reduce requirements for intravenous sedation. Methods Ten consecutive patients undergoing biliary drainage procedures received fluoroscopically guided paravertebral blocks and then had supplemental intravenous sedation as required to maintain patient comfort. Levels T8–T9 and T9–T10 on the right were targeted with 10–20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. Sedation requirements and pain levels were recorded. Results Ten biliary drainage procedures in 8 patients were performed for malignancy in 8 cases and for stones in 2. The mean midazolam use was 1.13 mg IV, and the mean fentanyl requirement was 60.0 μg IV in the block patients. Two episodes of hypotension, which responded promptly to volume replacement, may have been related to the block. No serious complications were encountered. The mean pain score when traversing the chest wall, liver capsule, and upon entering the bile ducts was 0.1 on a scale of 0 to 10, with 1 patient reporting a pain level of 1 and 9 reporting 0. The mean peak pain score, encountered when manipulating at the common bile duct level or when addressing stones there, was 5.4 and ranged from 0 to 10. Conclusions Thoracic paravertebral block with intravenous sedation supplementation appears to be a feasible method of pain control during biliary interventions.     

经皮椎体成形术治疗脊椎恶性肿瘤

目的通过评价经皮椎体成形术治疗脊椎恶性肿瘤的临床疗效,分析与疗效的相关因素,提高治疗技术。方法173例次,239节椎体病变,经病史、影像学或病理证实椎体恶性肿瘤行PVP术,临床疼痛症状为Ⅰ级(轻度疼痛)39例,Ⅱ级(中度疼痛)84例,Ⅲ级(重度疼痛)50例。术后采用WHO标准观察1周～1个月,平均2周。结果239节椎体穿刺失败1例1节椎体,技术成功率99．6％,共197个椎体行术前造影检查：造影剂经肿瘤破坏区向椎体外渗漏57节椎体,6例6节椎体有造影剂进入相邻椎间盘;注入聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)剂量颈椎1．5～2．5ml,胸椎为2～4ml,腰椎为2～6ml;短期内疗效显示疼痛完全缓解54．9％,部分缓解39．9％,总有效率94．8％。术后CT证实PMMA向椎体周围组织渗漏63例,包括9例引流静脉、4例椎管内硬膜囊外和3例渗漏入相邻椎间盘,47例向椎体旁渗漏,仅1例瘫痪患者出现临床症状加重。结论PVP短期内可明显减轻脊椎恶性肿瘤所致的疼痛症状。术前对脊椎恶性肿瘤的准确评估,结合术中椎体内造影,严格掌握注射时机,可提高治疗疗效,避免严重并发症的发生。     

Thoracic paravertebral block for analgesia following liver mass radiofrequency ablation

A 66-year-old man presented for a second attempt of radiofrequency ablation of a metastatic carcinoid liver lesion. The first attempt using intravenous sedation was unsuccessful because of inadequate pain control and subsequent patient combativeness. Despite fentanyl being given during general anaesthesia, the patient complained of severe right flank pain after emergence. A thoracic paravertebral block was performed without complication and the patient's pain decreased to "3 out of 10" on a standard 10-point scale after 10 min, and "0 out of 10" after 30 min. The patient's pain score remained 0 throughout the following day, and no further analgesics were required. Thoracic paravertebral block can provide complete and lasting analgesia following hepatic radiofrequency ablation, and warrants further study for patients undergoing hepatic radiological interventions.     

Continuous thoracic paravertebral nerve block in a working anesthesia resident-when opioids are not an option

Multiple unilateral rib fractures can cause significant pain and morbidity. Continuous nerve block catheters are often maintained while inpatient, and patients are discharged with oral analgesics. However, in many institutions, this dynamic is changing and patients are being managed effectively with outpatient catheters. A 45-year-old male was presented with fractured right ribs 6 through 9. The patient was an anesthesiology resident and was unable to perform his clinical duties. Single paravertebral nerve blocks were performed at right thoracic levels 6-9. At the T7 level, an indwelling catheter was placed. On post-injury day 18, he was able to discontinue the catheter and there were no associated complications. We report a unique case of a patient with multiple rib fractures who was not able to be exposed to potential side effects of opioids. The use of a continuous thoracic paravertebral nerve in an outpatient setting allowed a faster return to function with no adverse events.     

Vertebral haemangioma causing cord compression: MRI findings

A case of a thoracic intraosseous cavernous haemangioma extending into the extradural and paravertebral spaces with a dumbbell-shaped paravertebral component is presented.     

Alcohol Ablation Therapy of an Atypically Located Symptomatic Bronchogenic Cyst: A Case Report

Bronchogenic cyst is a rare developmental lesion. It is usually asymptomatic and most frequently located in the middle mediastinum and lung parenchyma. It can cause symptoms only when infected or pressing on neighboring structures. The MRI findings in a 34-year-old woman with an 8 months history of back pain were evaluated and revealed a cystic lesion in the left paravertebral area. The histopathologic evaluation of the material aspirated with CT guidance was reported to be bronchogenic cyst. A simultaneous alcohol ablation was accomplished. After the procedure the patient’s pain disappeared and the follow-up MRI scan 1 year later revealed no relapse. Paravertebrally located bronchogenic cysts are very rare and only 3 cases were found to be reported in the medical literature prior to this one. While aspiration alone is sufficient for diagnosis, it is insufficient to treat the lesion and prevent the recurrences. This paper reports a paravertebral bronchogenic cyst which was symptomatic despite of its small size. CT-guided aspiration was accomplished and simultaneous alcohol ablation was carried out to prevent recurrences.     

Spinal osteoblastoma: relationship between paravertebral muscle abnormalities and scoliosis

 Objective. To illustrate the variety of paravertebral muscle abnormalities as seen on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in association with spinal osteoblastomas and correlate the findings with the presence of scoliosis. Design. In a retrospective study the clinical notes, plain radiographic, CT and/or MRI features were reviewed for the presence of scoliosis and paravertebral muscle abnormality (either inflammation or atrophy). Patients. Twelve patients (7 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 17 years were studied. Three lesions occurred in the cervical spine, five in the thoracic spine and four in the lumbar spine. Results and conclusions. Nine patients had scoliosis. All patients with a thoracic or lumbar lesion and scoliosis (n=8) had an associated abnormality of the paravertebral muscles (usually atrophy with fatty replacement). One patient with a lumbar lesion and no scoliosis had normal paravertebral muscles. One patient with a cervical lesion had thoracic scoliosis but no muscle abnormality in the cervical region, while two patients with cervical lesions and no scoliosis showed muscle abnormalities. The results support the clinical hypothesis that scoliosis in patients with spinal osteoblastoma is due to paravertebral muscle spasm, although this would not appear to be the case for cervical lesions.     

超声引导胸椎旁神经阻滞对于肋骨骨折患者术后镇痛效果的影响

目的观察超声引导胸椎旁神经阻滞(TPVB)对于肋骨骨折患者术后镇痛效果的影响。方法 40例择期行肋骨骨折切开复位内固定术的患者,随机分为全麻组(GA组,n=20)和全麻联合胸椎旁神经阻滞组(GA+TPVB组,n=20)。GA组接受标准的全身麻醉。在GA+TPVB组,全麻诱导后以0.5%罗哌卡因行患侧超声引导胸椎旁神经阻滞。所有患者在麻醉后恢复室(PACU)开始接受含有舒芬太尼的静脉镇痛泵,术后前3d应用注射用帕瑞昔布钠(特耐)40mg静脉推注,每日2次。记录两组患者术中切皮前后5min平均动脉压(MAP)及心率(HR)变化,术中舒芬太尼的用量;于术后1、12、24、48和72h对患者进行静息和活动下(深呼吸、咳嗽时)疼痛评估,主要预后指标为所有视觉模拟评分法(VAS);记录患者满意度;同时观察术后有无血肿、恶心、呕吐、呼吸抑制等不良反应的发生。结果与GA组比较,GA+TPVB组切皮前后MAP、HR波动明显减小(P0.05),术中舒芬太尼用量明显减少(P0.05);两组患者术后1、12、24、48h的VAS有显著差异,与GA组比较,GA+TPVB组VAS明显降低(P0.05);GA组和GA+TPVB组术后呕吐发生率分别为15%和0,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后两组患者均未见血肿、呼吸抑制等不良反应发生。结论超声引导胸椎旁神经阻滞定位准确,操作成功率高,明显减少围手术期镇痛药物用量,提供有效的术后镇痛。     

Palmar hyperhidrosis treated by percutaneous transthoracic chemical sympathicolysis

Percutaneous transthoracic chemical sympathicolysis is an alternative to surgical sympathectomy in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. The procedure is performed under meticulous CT monitoring and consist of injection of a special phenol solution into the paravertebral space of the third thoracic vertebra. Here we review our experience with patients in whom chemical sympathicolysis was performed. Between December 1987 and December 1991, 76 patients were accepted for treatment in our department: in 72 of these, 143 procedures were carried out in 137 limbs. Complications. results and follow-up are described.Presented at ERC Vienna, September 1991 Correspondence to: O. B. Adler     

Technical note: CT-guided paravertebral adrenal biopsy using hydrodissection--a safe and technically easy approach

The adrenal glands are an important site of both primary and secondary disease processes. Image-guided percutaneous biopsy of the adrenal gland is an accurate and safe alternative to surgical biopsy. This procedure is most often performed in patients with a suspicion of metastatic disease where an accurate pathological diagnosis plays an important role in disease staging and defining therapy. There are many different approaches to performing adrenal biopsy under CT guidance such as anterior transhepatic/transpancreatic, lateral transhepatic/transplenic or posterior transpulmonary/transpleural/paravertebral. We describe a technique in which the adrenal gland was biopsied using a CT-guided percutaneous paravertebral approach with the use of a hydrodissection manoeuver. 13 CT-guided adrenal gland percutaneous biopsies using this technique were performed at our institution between April 2009 and July 2010. All biopsies yielded sufficient material for pathological analysis and there were no complications reported after the procedure. Saline injection can expand the posterior paravertebral space and facilitate a posterior extrapleural approach with high accuracy and low complication rates, and we believe that this may be the best approach for adrenal gland biopsy.     

CT引导下经皮穿刺微创介入治疗脊柱结核脓肿

目的评价CT引导下经皮穿刺置管冲洗引流治疗脊柱结核脓肿的作用及疗效。资料与方法搜集近2年临床诊断为胸、腰椎结核并椎旁脓肿形成且经平片或CT检查证实的患者资料11例。在CT定位下,取椎旁脓肿最大层面穿刺,经穿刺定位针并扩张达5．0mm工作套管,置入双腔同轴引流管,保留引流管并用药物冲洗引流,同时配合临床口服抗结核药物治疗。结果经3～24个月随访,10例取得良好的疗效（其中7例治愈,3例有效）,1例疗效不理想,所有病例均无并发症发生。结论CT引导下经皮穿刺置管冲洗引流化疗治疗脊柱结核是一种操作简便、安全有效、创伤很小的介入治疗方法。     

Multidetector-row CT evaluation of nontraumatic acute thoracic aortic syndromes

Acute thoracic aortic syndromes encompass a spectrum of emergencies presenting with acute chest pain and marked by a high risk of aortic rupture and sudden death. These include nontraumatic disease entities of the thoracic aorta, namely, dissection, intramural haematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and aneurysm rupture. In clinical practice, the most frequent imaging procedure used in the diagnostic assessment of these diseases is computed tomography (CT), which, thanks to recent technological developments [multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT)], affords important diagnostic possibilities and very interesting future perspectives. This paper on the use of MDCT in the evaluation of acute thoracic nontraumatic aortic syndromes illustrates the examination technique and the key imaging findings related to each disease. Moreover, the role of MDCT for planning specific treatment is also highlighted.     

Percutaneous sacroplasty using CT fluoroscopy

Sacral insufficiency fractures frequently cause significant pain and limit activities of daily living in patients with osteoporosis. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a common procedure to alleviate the pain associated with thoracic and lumbar vertebral compression fractures. The sacral percutaneous vertebroplasty procedure (sacroplasty) has recently been introduced as an alternative to medical management of osteoporotic sacral insufficiency fractures. We describe our CT fluoroscopy technique in performing percutaneous sacroplasty.     

Thoracic causes of acute abdominal pain

The origin of abdominal pain may be extra-abdominal, caused by a thoracic illness. This article illustrates the various thoracic disorders that may present with acute abdominal pain. An erroneous focus on the abdomen alone can easily lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. In cases of unexplained acute abdominal pain, radiologists should be aware of also viewing beyond the borders of the abdomen. The key to most of these thoracic diagnoses is detection of pulmonary consolidation, pleural fluid or pericardial fluid.     

Radiofrequency ablation of thoracic lesions: part 2, initial clinical experience--technical and multidisciplinary considerations in 30 patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to report our initial experience with patients who underwent percutaneous imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation of thoracic lesions, and to emphasize technical and multidisciplinary issues and adjunctive procedures specific to thoracic tumor ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our cohort consisted of 30 patients with a spectrum of primary (n=18) and secondary (n=11) lung tumors, mesothelioma (n=1), and five secondarily eroded, painful ribs who underwent ablation of 36 total lesions (one patient had two ablations). Patients either were nonsurgical candidates because of medical comorbidities or extent of disease, or had exhausted chemotherapy and radiation therapy options, or had refused surgery or undergone unsuccessful surgery. Patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation after agreement among oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and interventional radiologists. An array-style electrode under impedance control was used to treat 29 thoracic tumors and the adjacent rib metastases (n=5). A cool-tip radiofrequency probe was used for two patients. CT guidance and general anesthetic were used for all but one patient. Sonographic guidance and IV conscious sedation were used in one patient. Pain (n=11) and tumor cure or control (n=19) were the primary indications for the procedures. Adjunctive procedures to the radiofrequency ablations included the creation of saline or water windows (n=3); establishment of transosseous and transchondral routes (n=4); use of intercostal and paravertebral nerve blocks (n=15); and use of an intraprocedural catheter (n=1), needle (n=1), or sheath (n=3) for treatment of pneumothoraces. Follow-up was from 2 to 26 months. RESULTS: All ablations were technically successful. No periprocedural mortality occurred. Necrosis of tumor was greater than 90% in 26 of 30 lesions based on short-term follow-up imaging (CT, PET, MRI). In the 11 patients who underwent ablation for pain, relief was complete in four and partial in the other seven. One patient developed a local skin burn, four patients had self-limited hemoptysis up to 4 days after ablation, one had transient atrial fibrillation, one developed hoarseness, and two patients were transiently reintubated after extubation. Eight pneumothoraces developed; one patient underwent placement of a chest tube. Four patients died within 1 year of ablation from extrathoracic spread of tumor. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation for a variety of thoracic tumors can be performed safely and with a high degree of efficacy for pain control and tumor killing. The effect of ablation can be assessed with CT, MRI, or PET. Various technical issues differentiate thoracic tumor ablation from standard abdominal ablations. Numerous other thoracic interventional radiology procedures are beneficial to assist the radiofrequency ablation. A multidisciplinary approach offers valuable expertise for patient care.     

Low Back Pain in Athletes

In brief: Low back pain in seasoned athletes is not common, but when present it can limit participation. While direct blows or hyperlor-dotic positions can cause low back pain in certain sports, the most common cause is overuse and resultant strains or sprains of the paravertebral muscles and ligaments. Such injuries cause acute pain and spasm, which sometimes do not appear for 24 hours or longer. Diagnosis is based on history, ruling out of systemic maladies, physical examination, and, if necessary, supplemental tests such as x-rays, myelograms, and bone scans. Treatment of low back pain due to overuse is, sequentially, bed rest and ice for 24 to 36 hours, heat and massage, analgesics as needed, and a lumbosacral support until flexion and strengthening exercises have returned the damaged part to normal.     

Scintigraphic diagnosis of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with β-thalassemia

We report the scintigraphic diagnosis of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) in a patient with β-thalassemia. A patient had a mass in the right thoracic paravertebral region on radiography and CT. Bone marrow imaging of the thorax by means of both Tc-99m nanocolloid and phytate demonstrated uptake of the tracer in the mediastinal mass, establishing the diagnosis of EMH.     

Radiologic findings of thoracic scoliosis due to giant ganglioneuroma

A 28-year-old male with scoliosis presented with complaints of dyspnea and vomiting. His medical history revealed a mediastinal ganglioneuroma resection at the age of 2. After the surgery, he had not been followed up until his admission to our hospital. Computed tomography and MRI showed severe scoliosis of the thoracic spine and a paravertebral mass extending from the upper thoracic level to the level of renal arteries. Based on its radiological findings and the patient's history, the tumor was considered to be a recurrent ganglioneuroma. Paravertebral ganglioneuromas may cause progressive scoliosis, and a careful examination for patients with progressive scoliosis is mandatory.     

Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy and Steroid Block in Lumbar Facet Joint Arthropathy

PurposeTo evaluate the long-term efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy and steroid nerve block in patients with lumbar facet joint arthropathy.Materials and MethodsCombined RF neurotomy and steroid nerve block was performed in 34 patients with chronic paravertebral low back pain. The diagnosis was confirmed by comparative double diagnostic block of the medial branch with bupivacaine and lidocaine. Under fluoroscopy, RF thermal ablation of the medial branch was performed (at RF needle tip temperature 85°C for 90 seconds), three times for each target nerve. At the end of the procedure, 20 mg of methylprednisolone acetate (sustained-release preparation) was infiltrated on each ablated nerve. Outcome variable was the degree of improvement in pain using visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS). Improvement in the quality of life was assessed using the Roland-Morris (RM) questionnaire. The procedure was repeated in cases of unbearable pain (>5 VAS score).ResultsPatients had a mean VAS score of 8.6 before the procedure. Thereafter, VAS score was 0.91 immediately after the procedure and 3.0, 2.8, 3.7, and 3.6 at 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. NRS showed pain relief after the procedure of 85%, 65%, 78%, 62%, and 59.5% at the same time points. RM score was 18 before the procedure, 7.6 at 6 months after the procedure, and 8.5 at 1 year after the procedure. No major complication was noted except local pain in all patients and numbness of the back in six patients after the procedure.ConclusionsCombined RF neurotomy and steroid nerve block produced substantial improvement in terms of long-term pain relief and quality of life.