Ultrasound-guided Cervical Medial Branch Blocks

NCT04852393 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2020-21-105-H
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this study we will prospectively examine the safety and clinical effects of ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch blocks.

Conditions

Neck Pain; Cervical Spondylosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Immediate complications

  Proportion of patients with immediate block-related complications including any of the following: vasovagal, local anesthetic toxicity (dizziness, tinnitus, altered LOC, seizure) and trauma to non-targeted neural structures (paresthesia or other neuro symptoms)

  Immediately after block

• Delayed complications

  Proportion of patients with delayed block-related complications including any of the following: redness/irritation/swelling at injection site, hematoma, infection, skin bruising, soreness at injection site or increased pain, any neurological symptoms (new onset radicular pain, numbness/weakness or paresthesia in upper extremities).

  14 days after block

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Patient reported pain

  Pre-block, then every 2 weeks for 3 months.

• NDI

  Pre-block, then every 2 weeks for 3 months.

• PHQ-9

  Pre-block then at 1,2 and 3 months post block.

• GAD-7

  Pre-block then at 1,2 and 3 months post block.

• PCS

  Pre-block then at 1,2 and 3 months post block.

Study Arms (1)

Block

Patients undergoing ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch blocks as part of their usual care

Procedure: Block

Interventions

Block PROCEDURE

cervical medial branch block

Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients presenting to a tertiary outpatient pain clinic for diagnosis and treatment of chronic neck pain

You may qualify if:

• Consenting patients over 18 years of age undergoing cervical medial branch blocks as part of their usual care and who have a pain intensity of at least 5/10 (at rest or on movement) and a pain duration of at least 4 months.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to communicate or complete follow up questionnaires
• Known bleeding disorder or coagulopathy
• Patients on antiplatelet medication other than aspirin and those on anticoagulants (coumadin, AT III agents)
• Inability to visualize targeted structures on ultrasound
• Presence of acute radiculopathy of new onset neurological symptoms in the upper extremities
• Patients with bilateral neck pain if only one side is treated

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Montreal General Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bill Nelems Pain and Research Centre

Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 0G1, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Finlayson RJ, Etheridge JB, Godard R, Kaseweter K, Etheridge JP, Curatolo M. Do cervical medial branch blocks have a therapeutic role? a prospective cohort study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2025 May 28:rapm-2025-106457. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2025-106457. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 40441772 DERIVED

• Etheridge JB, Finlayson RJ, Venter J, De Villiers F, Etheridge JP, Wakefield R, Watanitanon A. Prospective evaluation of the safety of ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch blocks using the in-plane technique. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2025 Mar 5;50(3):237-242. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2024-105296.

  PMID: 38508589 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Spondylosis

Interventions

Dental Occlusion

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dentistry; Dental Physiological Phenomena; Digestive System and Oral Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Roderick J Finlayson, MD

  University of British Columbia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• John-Paul B Etheridge, MD

  University of British Columbia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 12, 2021
• First Posted: April 21, 2021
• Study Start: May 5, 2021
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2023
• Study Completion: October 1, 2023
• Last Updated: November 29, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)