The Success Rate of Ultrasound Guided Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injections in Sacroiliitis: Are we Getting Better

An IV cannula will be inserted, and basic ASA monitors applied, then the patients will be positioned in prone position. After disinfection of the skin, Ultra sonography will be used to Guide Needle Placement in SIJ (the hypoechoic cleft between the surface of the sacrum and the ilium) under complete a sepsis as the technique previously described in the literature.

A low frequency (2-5 Hz) curvilinear transducer will be used in a sterile cover, the posterior superior iliac spine, lateral borderof sacrum, and ilium will be identified in transverse orientation. Subsequently, the probe will be moved caudally until the superior part of the posterior SIJ is identified. The SIJ will be traced caudally until the distal third of the SIJ is visualized as evident by the flat contour of the iliac crest and the presence of the second sacral foramen on the medial aspect of the sacrum.

After local anesthetic infiltration of skin and subcutaneous tissues using Lidocaine 1%, a 21-gauge spinal needle will be advanced from a medial to lateral direction using an in-plane technique. After reaching the joint, a total volume of 4 ml of injectate will be injected which consists of: 1 ml 40 mg of methylprednisoloneacetate (Depo-Medrol®, Pfizer), 2 ml Lidocaine 2%, 1 ml Iohexol (Omnipaque 300®, GE Healthcare).

Control fluoroscopy

After injection of the drug and withdrawal of the needle, a antero-posterior fluoroscopy image will be obtained and recorded for the injected joint to detect the spread pattern of the contrast and whether its pre-dominantly intra or periarticular. (N.B: Periarticular injection is any injection done near the joint as evidenced by US but on fluoroscopy no contrast is detected inside the joint). Then a sterile patch will be applied to the puncture site and patient discharged to the recovery room for follow-up for 30 minutes before discharge to home.