During a nerve root infiltration, also known as a nerve block, a mixture of local anesthetic, with or without corticosteroid, is administered directly to the nerve root under imaging guidance (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or CT). A distinction is made between therapeutic and diagnostic infiltration.
Therapeutic infiltration
The goal of therapeutic infiltration is to achieve long-lasting pain relief. This type of infiltration is usually performed using a combination preparation of corticosteroid and local anesthetic.
Diagnostic infiltration
The goal of diagnostic infiltration is to localize the site causing the pain. This type of infiltration is usually performed using only a local anesthetic, without corticosteroid.
Complications
The complication rate for nerve root infiltrations is low; the most common complications are transient paresis, infections, or hemorrhage. Serious complications such as epileptic seizures and arrhythmias have also been described in the literature[^1].
Imaging
Video
Cervical CT-guided infiltration
CT-guided nerve root infiltration of the left C7 nerve root.