Efficacy of cervical paravertebral nerve block under ultrasound guidance combined with nerve stimulator localization in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve-root type

Objective To observe the curative effects of cervical paravertebral nerve block under ultrasound guidance combined with nerve stimulator localization for cervical spondylosis of nerve-root type. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with cervical spondylosis of nerve-root type were enrolled and treated by cervical paravertebral nerve block under ultrasound guidance combined with nerve stimulator localization. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was observed before treatment and at 1 day, 1 week and 3 months after the treatment. The effects were assessed by modified MacNab method at 3 months after the treatment. Results The VAS decreased significantly at 1 day (2.3±0.6) , 1 week (2.2±0.4) , and 3 months (1.9±0.4) after the treatment as compared with pre-treatment (7.2±0.5) (P 0.05) . Sixty-five patients (54.2%) showed excellent effect, 44 patients (36.7%) good effect, 8 patients (6.7%) acceptable effect and 3 patients (2.5%) poor effect. The excellent and good rate was 90.8% (109/120 cases) and the CASCS increased at 3 months after the treatment as compared with pre-treatment (P<0.05) , without adverse reaction. Conclusion The cervical paravertevral nerve block under ultrasound guidance combined with nerve stimulator localization is a safe and effective method in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve-root type. Key words: Ultrasound guidance; Nerve stimulator; Nerve-root type cervical spondylosis