• Fusco P
• Di Carlo S
• Scimia P
• Degan G
• Petrucci E
• Marinangeli F

• Adult
• Affiliation / ASST of Cremona. Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
• Affiliation / San Salvatore Academic Hospital of L'Aquila. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit
• Affiliation / SS Filippo and Nicola Hospital of Avezzano. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit
• Affiliation / University of Chieti. Department of Anesthesia, Resuscitation, Intensive and Pain Care
• Affiliation / University of L'Aquila. Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences
• Affiliation(G) / Italy / Cremona
• Affiliation(G) / Italy / L'Aquila
• Aged
• Chronic Pain
• Dry Needling
• Female
• Male
• Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Open Access Document
• Piriformis Syndrome / therapy
• Ultrasonography

Objective: he purpose of this case series was to describe the outcomes of diagnostic ultrasound-assisted dry needling in the management of piriformis syndrome.

Clinical Features: Case 1: a 45-year-old woman reported gluteal pain occasionally radiating in the sciatic region. Her magnetic resonance imaging showing sciatic nerve edema in the underlying portion of the piriformis muscle. Case 2: a 55-year-old man had gluteal pain after deep palpation or being in a prolonged sitting position. A previous magnetic resonance imaging showed a disk herniation at L2-L3. Case 3: a 65-year-old woman reported pain in the sciatic area when she was walking and at nighttime rest. All patients had been treated with oral drugs, with poor results.

Interventions and Outcome: Patients had the same quality and duration of symptoms. The treatments of piriformis muscle and gluteus minimus, medius, and maximus muscles were performed using a convex probe and a 0.30 × 60 mm needle, which was inserted out of plane, maintaining a constant view of its tip. All patients were treated over 10 days and followed up for 6 months. Their symptoms resolved during this time and no adverse reactions were reported.

Conclusion: For these 3 patients with piriformis syndrome who were treated with ultrasound-guided dry-needling treatment, their symptoms resolved and their quality of life improved.

Author keywords: Chronic Pain; Pain; Trigger Points; Therapeutics

Author affiliations:  PF, SDC: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, San Salvatore Academic Hospital of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; PS: Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, ASST of Cremona, Cremona, Italy; GD: Department of Anesthesia, Resuscitation, Intensive and Pain Care, University of Chieti, L'Aquila, Italy; EP: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, SS Filippo and Nicola Hospital of Avezzano, L'Aquila, Italy; FM: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; Click on the above link for free full text. PubMed Record