A Comparison of Ultrasound Versus Fluoroscopic Guidance for Sacral Lateral Branch Blocks

A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Ultrasound Versus Fluoroscopic Guidance for Sacral Lateral Branch Blocks

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02750436

Acronym

USGSLBB

Enrollment

Registered

2016-04-25

Start date

2016-04-25

Completion date

2016-07-30

Last updated

2017-03-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Back Pain

Brief summary

Sacral lateral branch blocks are used for the diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. This study will compare ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance for sacral lateral branch blocks. Outcomes examined will include performance times and success rates.

Interventions

DEVICEUltrasound guided

This group will be treated using an ultrasound imaging device

DEVICEFluoroscopy guided

This group will be treated using a fluoroscopy imaging device

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Any consenting patient over 18 years of age, undergoing a diagnostic sacral lateral branch block for suspected sacroiliac joint related pain.

Exclusion criteria

* Inability to consent, iodine or lidocaine allergy, pregnancy, coagulopathy (as defined by an international normalized ratio over 1.4, platelets under 100,000, or a documented bleeding disorder) and inability to visualize the target areas necessary for sensory testing (posterior superior iliac spine, dorsal aspect of SIJ) under ultrasound guidance.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Performance time	Duration of procedure (less than 20 minutes)	Block performance time will be measured from the time the first image is acquired, until the last injection is completed. Typical performance time are expected to be less than 20 minutes for both groups.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in pain numerical rating score from baseline	Baseline and 20 minutes after procedure	The extent of anesthesia provided by the blocks will be assessed by probing structures known to be innervated by the lateral branches and L5 posterior root. Two pain measurements will be undertaken, before and 20 minutes after the injections. Pain reports will be quantified by using a numerical rating score.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026