Myoneural Injections

Patient Position: Prone on fluoroscopy table.

Indications:
Myofascial pain in muscle groups secondary to areas of ischemia in
those muscles as a result of reflex muscle and vascular spasm. This is
often secondary to prolonged imbalance in posture from chronic low back
pain.

Needle Size: 22-gauge, 88-mm Quincke spinal needle.

Medication/Volume: 0.25 to 0.5% bupivacaine, 10 mL per muscle group. Decrease the dose by 20% if more than one group is injected.

Anatomic Landmarks: Piriformis injection:
The muscle attached proximally to the anterior border of the sacrum and
distally to the superior border of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Under fluoroscopy in the anteroposterior view, identify the greater
trochanter, the head of the femur, and the neck of the femur.

Quadratus lumborum injection:
The muscle is attached superiorly to the inferior border of the 12th
rib and inferiorly to the internal lip of the iliac crest. Under
fluoroscopy in the anteroposterior view, identify the iliac crest in
the lumbar back.

Psoas muscle injection: The
proximal attachment is the sides of T12-L5 vertebrae, and the distal
attachment is the lesser trochanter of the femur. Under fluoroscopy in
the anteroposterior view, identify the L3 vertebral body and transverse
process.

Approach and Technique: Piriformis injection:
Identify the landmarks as listed previously. Direct a 22-gauge spinal
needle just superior to the neck of the femur, medial to the greater
trochanter, and lateral to the head of the femur. The injection of 2 mL
Isovue-200 (Bracco Diagnostics, Princeton, NJ) dye shows the piriformis
muscle as a distinct band running in the direction of the sacrum to the
greater trochanter (Fig. 69-1). After negative aspiration for blood, the local anesthetic mixture is injected.

Quadratus lumborum injection:
After identification of the iliac crest in the lumbar back region,
insert a 22-gauge needle until it comes into contact with the superior
edge of the iliac crest. Walk the needle off the iliac crest until it
lies just superior and 1 cm deep to the

bone (Fig. 69-2A).
Inject 1 to 2 mL Isovue-200 to rule out intravascular placement of the
needle. After negative aspiration for blood, the local anesthetic
mixture is injected.

Psoas muscle injection:
After identification of the L3 vertebral body and transverse process,
insert a 22-gauge needle so that the tip is just inferior and deep to
the transverse process at this level. Inject 2 mL of Isovue-200 to
reveal the muscle as it fans out from the vertebral body inferiorly and
laterally (Fig. 69-2B). After negative aspiration for blood, the local anesthetic mixture is injected.