BJA Advance Access originally published online on September 14, 2007
British Journal of Anaesthesia 2007 99(5):713-716; doi:10.1093/bja/aem257
Sciatica and the sacroiliac joint: a forgotten concept
1 Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Gelre Hospital Apeldoorn, PO Box 9014, 7300DS Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
2 Department of Neurology, St Elisabeth Hospital, The Netherlands
3 Centre for Perioperative Medicine, Anesthesiology and Pain Clinic, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
* Corresponding author: Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Gelre Hospital Apeldoorn, PO Box 9014, 7300DS Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. E-mail: e.buijs{at}gelre.nl
The definition of sciatica is restricted to the pattern and localization of pain, although much emphasis is given to root compression as causative factor. Other sources of similar pain patterns are generally neglected. Despite absence of obligatory neurological signs in radicular syndromes, a number of patients are subjected to extensive, but redundant screenings. In this report, three patients are presented with presumed radicular pain syndromes, whose symptoms finally could be linked to the sacroiliac (SI) joint either via CT and MRI scans or via pain relief by intra-articular injection with local anaesthetics. Possible mechanisms of SI joint-related pain and difficulties in diagnostic specificity of signs and symptoms are discussed.
Keywords: anaesthetics local, mepivacaine; analgesic techniques, intra-articular; analgesic techniques, neurolysis
Read all E-letters![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
E-letters: