BACKGROUND: There is not a universally accepted single technique for injection of the piriformis muscle that has validated exact placement of the needle tip within the piriformis muscle. OBJECTIVE: We sought a methodology that would precisely document needle placement within the piriformis muscle that is reliable, relatively uncomplicated, and reproducible. METHODS: Patients with piriformis syndrome underwent injections of the piriformis muscle under fluoroscopic and electromyographic guidance. This technique used electrophysiological confirmation of needle placement within the piriformis muscle and image-guided identification of the piriformis muscle with radiopaque contrast media under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Using this methodology, injections on 17 occasions in 11 patients resulted in needle placement within the piriformis muscle.
BACKGROUND: There is not a universally accepted single technique for injection of the piriformis muscle that has validated exact placement of the needle tip within the piriformis muscle. OBJECTIVE: We sought a methodology that would precisely document needle placement within the piriformis muscle that is reliable, relatively uncomplicated, and reproducible. METHODS:Patients with piriformis syndrome underwent injections of the piriformis muscle under fluoroscopic and electromyographic guidance. This technique used electrophysiological confirmation of needle placement within the piriformis muscle and image-guided identification of the piriformis muscle with radiopaque contrast media under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Using this methodology, injections on 17 occasions in 11 patients resulted in needle placement within the piriformis muscle.
Authors: Steven P Cohen; Scott A Strassels; Leslie Foster; John Marvel; Kayode Williams; Matthew Crooks; Andrew Gross; Connie Kurihara; Cuong Nguyen; Necia Williams Journal: BMJ Date: 2009-04-14