Antecedent antibiotic therapy, regardless of duration, did not result in significantly diminished diagnostic yield from percutaneous sampling for suspected discitis/osteomyelitis. The present results suggest that percutaneous biopsy may nonetheless yield positive diagnostic information despite prior antimicrobial therapy. If the diagnostic information may impact choice of therapeutic regimen, percutaneous biopsy should still be considered in cases where there is a history of prior antimicrobial therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections are commonly performed for temporary pain relief or diagnostic presurgical planning in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Intravascular injection of steroids during the procedure can potentially result in cord infarct, stroke, and even death. CT-fluoroscopy allows excellent anatomic resolution and precise needle positioning. This study sought to determine the safest needle tip position during CT-guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection as determined by the incidence of intravascular injection.

Background: Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a common and effective tool for managing lumbar radicular pain, although accidental intravascular injection can rarely result in paralysis.The purpose of this study is to determine the safest needle tip position for computed tomography (CT)-guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections as determined by incidence of intravascular injection.

The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABCN) is a distal sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve that innervates the radial aspect of the forearm. Cases of LABCN injury from trauma and chronic compression have been reported. A case of musculocutaneous nerve injury after a biceps tenodesis has also been reported. This case report describes an LABCN injury and forearm pain after a biceps tenodesis procedure. Using a multifaceted diagnostic approach of electrodiagnostics and magnetic resonance neurography, the site of compression was appropriately localized. The patient ultimately achieved relief after a surgical decompression.

Clinically important incidental extraspinal findings were identified in 5.8% of patients on the planning imaging performed for CT-guided lumbar TFESIs. Communication of clinically important findings was poor (4.5%).