253. Clinical and Therapeutic Particularities of Brucellar Sacroiliitis

Background The misleading clinical presentation of brucellar sacroiliitis, which is usually confused with involvement of the lumbosacral hinge or the hip, is responsible for diagnostic and therapeutic delay. We aimed to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of brucellar sacroiliitis. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including all patients hospitalized in the infectious disease department for brucellar sacroiliitis between 1992 and 2020. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on positive wright agglutination test and/or positive blood cultures. Results We included 12 patients, among whom 8 were males. The mean age was 35±13 years. Ten patients consumed unpasteurized milk and 9 had a close contact with animals. Three patients were previously treated for brucellosis and 4 patients had a family history of brucellosis. The revealing symptoms were sacroiliac joint pain (7 cases) and low back pain (5 cases), associated with fever and night sweats (9 cases). There were 8 cases localized on the left side of the joint. Spondylodiscitis was associated with sacroiliitis in 3 cases and genitourinary brucellosis in one case. An accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and elevated C-reactive protein levels were noted in 7 cases, anemia in 7 cases and leukopenia in 4 cases. X-ray examination of sacroiliac joints revealed thickening of the sacroiliac joint (3 cases). Bone scintigraphy, which was performed in 8 cases, showed hyperfixation of the sacroiliac joint. Sacroiliac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, performed in 6 cases and 4 cases, respectively, showed signs of sacroiliitis in all cases and soft tissue abscess in 2 cases. Blood cultures were positive to Brucella in 2 cases. All patients received doxycycline and rifampicin, associated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in 2 cases. The median duration of treatment was 4.5 months [3-9 months]. The disease evolution was favorable in 10 cases. Sequelae represented by sacroiliac joint pain was noted in 4 cases. There were 2 relapsing cases. Conclusion The diagnosis of brucellar sacroiliitis is based mainly on the imaging results and serological testing. Respecting preventive measures is a priority in order to eradicate brucellosis. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

An ultrasound study of the long posterior sacroiliac ligament in healthy volunteers and in patients with noninflammatory sacroiliac joint pain

Aim: To describe the sonoanatomy of the long posterior sacroiliac ligament (LPSL) in healthy volunteers and to assess by ultrasound the LPSL in patients with noninflammatory sacroiliac joint pain (SIP).Material and methods: We assessed 64 LPSLs of 32 healthy controls and 40 LPSLs of 40 patients with unilateral noninflammatory SIP and a positive Fortin finger test. LPSLs in both groups were assessed for the presence of alterations in their structure, continuity and echogenicity and their thickness was measured in three predefined points. All patients were examined in prone position following a strict scanning protocol.Results: Detailed sonoanatomy description and measurement of the LPSL in healthy volunteers are provided (length: 31.32±4.79 mm, width: 8.14±1.28 mm, thickness: 2.05±0.55 mm; 1.64±0.41 mm and 1.51±0.42 mm at the iliac and sacral entheses and in its middle part, respectively). The LPSLs were found to be significantly thicker in the SIP group, with an optimum criterion value of >2.0 mm in its middle part to identify pathologically thickened ligaments. In addition, LPSLs inthe SIP group presented significantly more often hypoechogenicity/altered fibrillar structure (57.5% vs.16%) and/or periligamentous edema (72.8% vs 28%). The combination of either altered structure or periligamentous edema, with thickening of theligament’s body showed the best diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity 83.9% and 94.7% for the first combination and 100% and 84.6% for the second combination) to identify LPSL pathology in noninflammatory SIP.Conclusions: LPSL could be assessed by ultrasound and sonopathological lesions could be identified in patients with SIP.

Lateral branch blocks

The posterior sacral network is a complex meshwork of lateral branches of the dorsal sacral rami that innervate the posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint. Pain arising from this joint can be diagnostically targeted using either a fluoroscopic or ultrasound technique to determine if the patient would benefit from radiofrequency ablation of the lateral branches. Injecting local anesthetic near the dorsal foramina using these techniques will temporarily block the transmission of pain by the lateral branches from the sacroiliac joint. This chapter covers the anatomy of the posterior sacral network, discusses the details of the two techniques for lateral branch blocks and evidence for their utility, provides information about the risks and contraindications associated with the techniques, and concludes by discussing the implications of the procedure.

Radiofrequency ablation of the sacroiliac joint

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a revolutionary procedure in the practice of pain management that can be used in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain syndromes. It is a technology that uses radiofrequency needle probes to create lesions by way of localized tissue destruction. It is indicated for patients with chronic sacroiliac joint pain who have had a positive response to a lateral branch block. This procedure typically provides at least 6 and up to 12 months of significant pain relief and can be repeated. Practitioners should be well versed in the different evolving methods for RFA as well as its evidence, relevant anatomy, the technology used in RFA, and the complications that may occur with this procedure and how to prevent them. This chapter explores these principles and presents the relevant findings from the literature for this innovative procedure for sacroiliac joint pain.

Patient selection and instruments used for peripheral nerve stimulation of the sacroiliac joint

Sacroiliac joint pain is a very common cause of low back pain. Treatments such as physical therapy, medications, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and nerve blocks or injections can often improve symptoms. However, when these techniques are unsuccessful, consideration should be given to peripheral nerve stimulation as a long-term solution for chronic sacroiliac joint pain. Case reports over the previous decade have indicated that peripheral nerve stimulation can be useful in treating sacroiliac joint pain. This chapter provides an overview of this technique. The topics include the patient selection process (including the importance of obtaining a psychological evaluation), contraindications, and instruments used during the procedure.