Ultrasound guided interventional pain treatment

SummaryFor decades, fluoroscopy and computed tomography have been the most frequently applied imaging techniques in pain medicine. During the past 10 years, ultrasound imaging has become increasingly popular, because it enables visualization both of pain relevant structures serving as potential targets (e.g. nerves, joints) and potentially hazardous structures related to puncture (e.g. vessels, pleura), without exposing patients or staff to any radiation. The spectrum of possible applications of ultrasound imaging in the field of interventional pain treatment is growing steadily and this article intends to highlight the advantages and limitations of this imaging technique and to present the most frequently performed ultrasound guided interventions described in the medical literature.