Ultrasound-Guided Extraforaminal Thoracic Nerve Root Block Through the Midpoint of the Inferior Articular Process and the Parietal Pleura: A Clinical Application of Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block

PURPOSE: Thoracic nerve root (TNR) block is performed primarily under computed tomography or X-ray fluoroscopy but is associated with radiation exposure. Ultrasound requires no radiation and distinguishes vessels, nerves, pleura, and other tissues. Few reports of ultrasound-guided TNR (US-TNR) block have been described, and the puncture end point has not been clearly defined. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of US-TNR block using the midpoint of the inferior articular process (IAP) and parietal pleura (PP) as the puncture end point. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 10 patients with Herpes Zoster-associated pain underwent US-TNR-guided block performed using an in-plane technique with the midpoint of thoracic IAP and PP as the puncture end points of ultrasonography. The US-TNR block procedure was performed with ultrasound as the primary imaging tool followed by fluoroscopic confirmation. RESULTS: In all patients, the needle tips were visible at the lateral margin of the pedicle in the anteroposterior view and at the extraforaminal zone in the lateral view. The TNR and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were delineated in all 10 patients. Furthermore, 2 mL of radiopaque agent could delineate the epidural space in 8 patients and the thoracic paravertebral (TPV) space in the other 2 patients. All patients developed numbness along the corresponding dermatome 30 min after injection of local anesthetics. The numeric rating scale (NRS) score at baseline, and at two- and four-week follow-ups were 6.50 ± 1.35, 3.50 ± 0.85 (vs NRS at baseline, P < 0.01), and 4.00 ± 0.82 (vs NRS at baseline, P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility of US-TNR block using the in-plane technique with the midpoint of thoracic IAP and PP as the puncture end point to effectively block the TNR and DRG. This technique is an accurate clinical application of TPV nerve block and provides a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of neuropathic pain.