• J Ultrasound Med · Aug 2008

    Comparative Study

    Accuracy of ultrasound-guided versus fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled piriformis injections: a cadaveric study.

    • Jonathan T Finnoff, Mark Friedrich B Hurdle, and Jay Smith.
    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA. finnoff.jonathan@mayo.edu
    • J Ultrasound Med. 2008 Aug 1;27(8):1157-63.

    ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of ultrasound-guided piriformis injections with fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled piriformis injections in a cadaveric model.MethodsTwenty piriformis muscles in 10 unembalmed cadavers were injected with liquid latex using both fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled and US-guided injection techniques. All injections were performed by the same experienced individual. Two different colors of liquid latex were used to differentiate injection placement for each procedure, and the injection order was randomized. The gluteal regions were subsequently dissected by an individual blinded to the injection technique. Colored latex seen within the piriformis muscle, sheath, or both was considered an accurate injection.ResultsNineteen of 20 ultrasound-guided injections (95%) correctly placed the liquid latex within the piriformis muscle, whereas only 6 of the 20 fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled injections (30%) were accurate (P = .001). The liquid latex in 13 of the 14 missed fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled piriformis injections and the single missed ultrasound-guided injection was found within the gluteus maximus muscle. In the single remaining missed fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled piriformis injection, the liquid latex was found within the sciatic nerve.ConclusionsIn this cadaveric model, ultrasound-guided piriformis injections were significantly more accurate than fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled injections. Despite the use of bony landmarks and contrast, most of the fluoroscopically attempted piriformis injections were placed superficially within the gluteus maximus. Clinicians performing piriformis injections should be aware of the potential pitfalls of fluoroscopically guided contrast-controlled piriformis injections and consider using ultrasound guidance to ensure correct needle placement.

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