Introduction: MR guidance is being used for a host of spine injections and pain management procedures such as discography, periradicular nerve blocks, sympathetic blocks, celiac plexus blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, and facet (zygoapophysial) joint neurotomies. MR imaging provides exceptional depiction of the patho-anatomy in the vertebral column and intervertebral discs and also provides...

BACKGROUND The tissue origin of low back pain (LBP) or referred lower extremity symptoms (LES) may be identified in about 70% of cases using advanced imaging, discography and facet or sacroiliac joint blocks. These techniques are invasive and availability varies. A clinical examination is non-invasive and widely available but its validity is questioned. Diagnostic studies usually examine single...