The role of ultrasound guided percutaneous needle aspiration and lavage (barbotage) in the treatment of calcific tendinitis

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound guided percutaneous needle aspiration and lavage (barbotage) in the treatment of calcific tendinitis.Patients and methodsBetween January 2012 and March 2014, ten patients with calcific tendinitis have been treated by ultrasound guided calcification lavage and aspiration (barbotage). All patients underwent pre-treatment diagnostic ultrasound and assessment of their pain and disability of the affected area through a self-answered questionnaire, with reevaluation of the ultrasound changes and clinical response as regards the pain and disability score on regular follow up visits, done at the 1st, 3rd and 6th month post-treatment.ResultsAccording to the results of this study, there was a statistically marked reduction of the mean pain score from 3.5 points pre-treatment to 1 point, and mean disability score from 2.5 points to 1 point at the 6th month follow up visit. The clinical success rate was 80% with a technical success rate of 60%.ConclusionUltrasound guided aspiration and lavage (barbotage) is a highly effective, less aggressive method of treatment in cases of calcific tendinosis, especially for cases with severe pain that does not respond to other conservative methods.