First Treatment of a Sacroiliitis Patient Using Fluoroscopy Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Sacroiliitis
Ruth Gur1, Tal Harel1, Paz Kelmer2
1Pain Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Summary
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) offers a safe, noninvasive treatment for sacroiliitis, significantly reducing pain. Further research is needed to confirm its benefits for function and quality of life in sacroiliac joint pain.
Area of Science:
- Pain management research
- Minimally invasive therapies
- Medical technology innovation
Background:
- Sacroiliitis causes debilitating lower back pain, with current treatments having limitations.
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) presents a noninvasive, image-guided alternative for chronic pain.
- Existing therapies for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain are often insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of HIFU for sacroiliitis.
- To evaluate HIFU's impact on sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain.
- To explore HIFU as a novel treatment for chronic lower back pain.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving eight patients with SIJ pain.
- Fluoroscopy-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) application.
- Assessment of pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- HIFU was well-tolerated with no adverse events.
- Statistically significant reduction in pain intensity (p < 0.005).
- MRI confirmed precise tissue ablation; functional improvements were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- HIFU demonstrates potential as a noninvasive treatment for sacroiliitis.
- Further large-scale studies are required to validate findings.
- Treatment parameters for HIFU in sacroiliitis may need refinement.
