Ultrasound Guided Needle Placement in Sacroiliac Joint Injections

Assessing the Accuracy of 
Objective The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound guided needle placement for sacroiliac joint injections. Design Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was gained for a prospective cohort study of fifty patients (N=50). Study patients who were referred for sacroiliac joint injections for sacroiliac joint mediate pain, and met inclusion/exclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent needle placement with ultrasound guidance in the procedure suite. After the needle was placed with the ultrasound guidance, fluoroscopy was utilized to confirm correct placement via contrast injection confirming a sacroiliac joint arthrogram. The arthrogram was confirmed via the performing physician and radiologist. Results The placement of the needle with ultrasound guidance into the sacroiliac joint was confirmed successful in 96% (48/50) patients by fluoroscopic arthrogram. The two patients with unsuccessful arthrograms following initial placement of the needle with ultrasound were morbidly obese. There was intra-vascular uptake during the arthrogram of one patient who had a successful arthrogram. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided injection of the sacroiliac joint is successful and accurate upon confirmation of fluoroscopic arthrogram and should be utilized as an imaging modality for needle guidance. Correspondence: Arthur Jason De Luigi, DO, MHSA, 10825 N. 140th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, 301793-2136, ajweege@yahoo.com Competing Interests-None for any author Funding or grants or equipment provided for the project from any source-None for any author Financial benefits to the authors-None to any author Details of any previous presentation of the research, manuscript, or abstract in any form: None Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.