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Open Access 08-05-2025 | Musculoskeletal Radiology | Musculoskeletal
Image-guided injections for facet joint pain: evidence-based Delphi conjoined consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology and European Society of Neuroradiology
Published in: European Radiology
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Objectives
To perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided injections for facet joint pain (FJP) and provide clinical indications.
Methods
We report the results of an evidence-based Delphi consensus of 38 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology and the European Society of Neuroradiology, who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided injections for FJP. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when ≥ 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the consensus were used to write the paper.
Results
Twenty statements on image-guided FJP treatment have been drafted. Eighteen statements received strong consensus, while two received broad consensus. Three statements reached the highest level of evidence, all of them regarding the lumbar spine. All radiological methods are used for image-guided injections for FJP, and regardless of the radiological method used, all show good safety and efficacy. Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks are used in all spinal regions to treat FJP, and both show similar clinical outcomes. Advanced technological solutions have been studied in the field of lumbar FJP; however, the level of evidence for these is low.
Conclusion
Despite promising results reported by published papers on image-guided injections for FJP, there is still a lack of evidence on injection efficacy, appropriateness of imaging methods, and optimal medication.
Key Points
Question Image-guided injections to treat facet joint pain (FJP) are performed throughout the spine; however, the highest level of evidence exists for the lumbar spine.
Findings Regardless of the imaging method used, image-guided injections for facet joint pain treatment are safe, with only minor adverse events in rare cases.
Clinical relevance All imaging methods are used for injection guidance to treat FJP, each with advantages and disadvantages. These statements on image-guided injections for FJP provide a concise and up to date overview on the topic, serving as a list of clinical indications.
Graphical Abstract
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