Selective cervical nerve root blockade: experience with a safe and reliable technique using an anterolateral approach...

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Interventional Radiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Selective cervical nerve root blockade (SCNRB) is a common procedure for cervical radicular pain.
• Evaluating novel approaches to SCNRB is crucial for improving patient outcomes and procedural safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and clinical utility of a fluoroscopically guided anterolateral oblique approach for outpatient SCNRB.
• To determine the complication rate associated with this specific SCNRB technique.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 4612 outpatient SCNRB procedures performed over 13 years.
• Procedures were conducted using a fluoroscopically guided anterolateral oblique approach by experienced radiologists.
• Needle placement and contrast dispersal were confirmed with imaging before therapeutic injection.

Main Results:

• No serious neurologic complications (stroke, spinal cord insult, permanent nerve deficit) were reported.
• One anaphylactic reaction occurred, attributed to injected materials, not the technique.
• One patient experienced a temporary seizure, with full recovery.

Conclusions:

• The described fluoroscopically guided anterolateral oblique approach for SCNRB is safe and effective.
• This technique is a valuable outpatient procedure when performed by skilled and experienced physicians.