Enhancing chronic back pain management: A comparative study of ultrasound–MRI fusion guidance for paravertebral nerve block

Objective This study examines the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided paravertebral nerve block (PVB) with and without MRI fusion for chronic back pain management. Methods A retrospective analysis of 20 patients, split into US–MRI fusion-guided (IF group, n = 10) and traditional US-guided (U group, n = 10) PVB, was conducted. Pain intensity, gabapentin dosage, procedure duration, and treatment efficacy were compared using numerical rating scale (NRS) scores. Results An hour after receiving treatment, the IF group showed a marked reduction in NRS scores (2.2 ± 0.9), significantly lower than those observed in the U group (2.5 ± 1.0; p < 0.05). Nonetheless, the difference in average NRS scores between the groups was not statistically significant 7 days post-treatment (IF group, 3.5 ± 0.8; U group, 3.4 ± 1.3; p > 0.05). The U group reported four instances of transient dizziness and diminished limb muscle strength, lasting between 30 and 90 min, which naturally resolved without intervention. No significant adverse effects were noted in the IF group. Conclusions Integrating US with MRI for PVB guidance emerges as a groundbreaking and efficacious strategy in chronic back pain treatment, showcasing significant improvements in safety and initial pain alleviation compared to the conventional use of US guidance alone.