CT-guided suprascapular nerve blocks: a pilot study.

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Skeletal Radiol. 2004 Feb 10 [Epub ahead of print] Related Articles,

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CT-guided suprascapular nerve blocks: a pilot study.

Schneider-Kolsky ME, Pike J, Connell DA.

Department of Medical Imaging, House Private Hospital, 316 Malvern

Road, Prahran 3181, Melbourne, , Australia.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to describe the suprascapular

nerve block using CT guidance and to evaluate the short- and medium-term

efficacy in a range of shoulder pathologies. DESIGN AND PATIENTS. CT-guided

infiltration around the suprascapular nerve was performed with bupivacaine

and Celestone Chronodose on 40 consecutive patients presenting with chronic

shoulder pathologies unresponsive to conventional treatment. Patients were

interviewed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) before the

procedure, 30 min after the procedure and at 3 days, 3 weeks and 6 weeks

afterwards. RESULTS. Within 30 min of the block overall pain scores

decreased from a mean (+/-SEM) pain score of 7.0 (+/-0.4) to 3.5 (+/-0.5) (

n=39, P<0.001). At 3 days after the procedure, the mean overall improvement

of the pain and disability scores were 20.4% (+/-4.9, P<0.001) and 16.8%

(+/-4.8, P=0.004) respectively. Sustained pain relief and reduced disability

were achieved in 10 of 35 (29%) patients at 3 weeks and longer. Patients

suffering from soft tissue pathologies were the most likely patients to

benefit from the injection. No serious side effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS.

In some patients with chronic soft tissue pathologies who do not respond to

conventional treatment, a CT-guided suprascapular nerve block can provide

safe short- and medium-term relief from pain and disability.

PMID: 14872290 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]