Skip to main content

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as noncylic pain of at least 6 months duration, severe enough to cause disability or seek medical attention, occurring in locations such as the pelvis, anterior abdominal wall at or below the umbilicus, lower back, or buttocks. The pathophysiology of CPP is complex. The pain generator may include the viscera (e.g., bladder, bowel), neuromuscular system (e.g., pudendal neuralgia, piriformis syndrome), or the gynecological system (e.g., endometriosis). Pathophysiological processes, both peripherally and centrally combined with psychological factors most likely contribute to the clinical picture. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach to management is recommended. As part of this management plan, neural blockade and injection of muscles within the pelvis play both a diagnostic and therapeutic role.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Chronic pelvic pain: ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103:589–605.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fall M, Baranowski AP, Elniel S, et al. EAU guidelines on chronic pelvic pain. Eur Urol. 2010;57:35–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chan VWS. A Practical Guide to Ultrasound Imaging for Regional Anesthesia. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: Toronto Printing; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Smith J, Hurdle M-F, Locketz AJ, Wisniewski SJ. Ultrasound-guided piriformis injection: technique description and verification. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;87(12):1664–1667.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Peng PWH, Tumber PS. Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures for patients with chronic pelvic pain – a description of techniques and review of the literature. Pain Physician. 2008;11:215–224.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bellingham GA, Peng PWH. Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures for chronic pelvic pain. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2009;13:171–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Rofaeel A, Peng P, Louis I, et al. Feasibility of real-time ultrasound for pudendal nerve block in patients with chronic perineal pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2008;33(2):139–145.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Peng P, Narouze S. Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures in pain medicine: a review of anatomy, sonoanatomy, and procedures. Part I nonaxial structures. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2009;34(5):458–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rab M, Ebmer J, Dellon AL. Anatomic variability of the ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerve: implications for the treatment of groin pain. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001;108(6):1618–1623.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cardosi RJ, Cox CS, Hoffman MS. Postoperative neuropathies after major pelvic surgery. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;100(2):240–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Luijendijk RW, Jekel J, Storm RK, et al. The low transverse Pfannenstiel incision and the prevalence of incisional hernia and nerve entrapment. Ann Surg. 1997;225(14):365–369.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Choi PD, Nath R, Mackinnon SE. Iatrogenic injury to the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in the groin: case report, diagnosis, and management. Ann Plast Surg. 1996;37(1):60–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Sippo WC, Burghardt A, Gomez AC. Nerve entrapment after Pfannenstiel incision. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1987;157(2):420–421.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Whiteside JL, Barber MD, Walters MD, Falcone T. Anatomy of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in relation to trocar placement and low transverse incisions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(16):1574–1578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Grosz CR. Iliohypogastric nerve injury. Am J Surg. 1981;142(5):628.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lantis JC II, Schwaitzberg SD. Tack entrapment of the ilioinguinal nerve during laparoscopic hernia repair. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 1999;9(3):285–289.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Poobalan AS, Bruce J, Smith EC, King PM, Krukowski ZH, Chambers WA. A review of chronic pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Clin J Pain. 2003;19(1):48–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lim SL, Ng Sb A, Tan GM. Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block revisited: single shot versus double shot technique for hernia repair in children. Paediatr Anaesth. 2002;12(3):255–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Mandelkow H, Loeweneck H. The iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. Distribution in the abdominal wall, danger areas in surgical incisions in the inguinal and pubic regions and reflected visceral pain in their dermatomes. Surg Radiol Anat. 1988;10(2):145–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Jamieson RW, Swigart LL, Anson BJ. Points of parietal perforation of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in relation to optimal sites for local anaesthesia. Q Bull Northwest Univ Med Sch. 1952;26(1):22–26.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu WC, Chen TH, Shyu JF, et al. Applied anatomy of the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve in open inguinal herniorrhaphy. Eur J Surg. 2002;168(3):145–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Ducic I, Dellon AL. Testicular pain after inguinal hernia repair: an approach to resection of the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve. J Am Coll Surg. 2004;198(2):181–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Thibaut D, de la Cuadra-Fontaine JC, Bravo MP, et al. Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks: where is the anesthetic injected? Anesth Analg. 2008;107(2):728–729.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Weintraud M, Marhofer P, Bosenberg A, et al. Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks in children: where do we administer the local anesthetic without direct visualization. Anesth Analg. 2008;106(1):89–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. al-Dabbagh AK. Anatomical variations of the inguinal nerves and risks of injury in 110 hernia repairs. Surg Radiol Anat. 2002;24(2):102–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Brown DL. Atlas of Regional Anesthesia. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Waldman SD. Atlas of Interventional Pain Management. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Katz J. Atlas of Regional Anesthesia. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  29. van Schoor AN, Boon JM, Bosenberg AT, Abrahams PH, Meiring JH. Anatomical considerations of the pediatric ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block. Paediatr Anaesth. 2005;15(5):371–377.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lipp AK, Woodcock J, Hensman B, Wilkinson K. Leg weakness is a complication of ilio-inguinal nerve block in children. Br J Anaesth. 2004;92(2):273–274.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Johr M, Sossai R. Colonic puncture during ilioinguinal nerve block in a child. Anesth Analg. 1999;88(5):1051–1052.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Amory C, Mariscal A, Guyot E, Chauvet P, Leon A, Poli-Merol ML. Is ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block always totally safe in children? Paediatr Anaesth. 2003;13(2):164–166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Vaisman J. Pelvic hematoma after an ilioinguinal nerve block for orchialgia. Anesth Analg. 2001;92(4):1048–1049.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Eichenberger U, Greher M, Kirchmair L, Curatolo M, Morigg B. Ultrasound-guided blocks of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve: accuracy of a selective new technique confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br J Anaesth. 2006;97(2):238–243.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gofeld M, Christakis M. Sonographically guided ilioinguinal nerve block. J Ultrasound Med. 2006;25(12):1571–1575.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Hu P, Harmon D, Frizelle H. Ultrasound-guided blocks of the ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block: a pilot study. Ir J Med Sci. 2007;176(2):111–115.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Ford S, Dosani M, Robinson AJ, et al. Defining the reliability of sonoanatomy identification by novices in ultrasound-guided pediatric ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blockade. Anesth Analg. 2009;109(6):1793–1798.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Broadman L. Ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral nerves. In: Gay SG, ed. Regional Anesthesia. An Atlas of Anatomy and Techniques. St Louis, MA: Mosby; 1996:247–254.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Conn D, Nicholls B. Regional anaesthesia. In: Wilson IH, Allman KG, eds. Oxford Handbook of Anaesthesia. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2006:1055–1104.

    Google Scholar 

  40. NYSORA. Genitofemoral Nerve Block. <http://nysora.com/peripheral_nerve_blocks/classic_block_techniques/3081-genitofemoral>; 2009. Accessed 11.12.09.

  41. Parziale JR, Hudgins TH, Fishman LM. The piriformis syndrome. Am J Orthop. 1996;25(12):819–893.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Barton PM. Piriformis syndrome: a rational approach to management. Pain. 1991;47(3):345–352.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Durrani Z, Winnie AP. Piriformis muscle syndrome: an underdiagnosed cause of sciatica. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1991;6(6):374–379.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Hallin RP. Sciatic pain and the piriformis muscle. Postgrad Med. 1983;74(2):69–72.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Benzon HT, Katz JA, Enzon HA, Iqbal MS. Piriformis syndrome anatomic considerations, a new injection technique, and a review of the literature. Anesthesiology. 2003;98(6):1442–1448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Robinson D. Piriformis syndrome in relations to sciatic pain. Am J Surg. 1947;73:335–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Papadopoulos EC, Khan SN. Piriformis syndrome and low back pain: a new classification and review of the literature. Orthop Clin North Am. 2004;35(1):65–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Benson ER, Schutzer SF. Posttraumatic piriformis syndrome: diagnosis and results of operative treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1999;81(7):941–949.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Fishman S, Caneris O, Bandman T, Audette J, Borsook D. Injection of the piriformis muscle by fluoroscopic and electromyographic guidance. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 1998;23(6):554–559.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Lang AM. Botulinum toxin type B in piriformis syndrome. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;83(3):198–202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Fishman L, Konnoth C, Rozner B. Botulinum neurotoxin type B and physical therapy in the treatment of piriformis syndrome: a dose finding study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;83(1):42–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Pecina M. Contribution to the etiological explanation of the piriformis syndrome. Acta Anat. 1979;105(2):181–187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Beason LE, Anson BJ. The relation of the sciatic nerve and its subdivisions to the piriformis muscle. Anat Rec. 1937;70:1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Fanucci E, Masala S, Sodani G, et al. CT-guided injection of botulinic toxin for percutaneous therapy of piriformis muscle syndrome with preliminary MRI results about denervative process. Eur Radiol. 2001;11(12):2543–2548.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Filler A, Haynes J, Jordan S, et al. Sciatic pain of non-disc origin and piriformis syndrome: diagnosis by magnetic resonance neurography and interventional magnetic resonance imaging with outcome of resulting treatment. J Neurosurg Spine. 2005;2(2):99–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Fishman LM, Dombi GW, Michaelson C, et al. Piriformis syndrome: diagnosis, treatment, and outcome – a 10 year study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83(3):295–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Fishman LM, Andersen C, Rosner B. Botox and physical therapy in the treatment of piriformis syndrome. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;81(12):936–942.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Finoff JT, Hurdle MFB, Smith J. Accuracy of ultrasound-guided versus fluoroscopically guided contrast controlled piriformis injections. A cadaveric study. J Ultrasound Med. 2008;27(8):1157–1163.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Koski JM. Ultrasound-guided injections in rheumatology. J Rheumatol. 2000;27(9):2131–2138.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Broadhurst NA, Simmons ND, Bond MJ. Piriformis syndrome: correlation of muscle morphology with symptoms and signs. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85(12):2036–2039.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Huerto AP, Yeo SN, Ho KY. Piriformis muscle injection using ultrasonography and motor stimulation – report of a technique. Pain Physician. 2007;10(5):687–690.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Robert R, Prat-Pradal D, Labat JJ, et al. Anatomic basis of chronic perineal pain: role of the pudendal nerve. Surg Radiol Anat. 1998;20(2):93–98.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Benson JT, Griffis K. Pudendal neuralgia, a severe pain syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005;192(5):1663–1668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Amarenco G, Kerdraon J, Bouju P, et al. Treatments of perineal neuralgia caused by involvement of the pudendal nerve. Rev Neurol. 1997;153(5):331–334.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Peng PWH, Antolak SJ Jr, Gordon AS. Pudendal neuralgia. In: Pukall C, Goldstein GI, Goldstein A, eds. Female Sexual Pain Disorders. 1st ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009:112–118.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  66. Labat JJ, Riant T, Robert R, et al. Diagnostic criteria for pudendal neuralgia by pudendal nerve entrapment (Nantes criteria). Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27(4):306–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Leibovitch I, Mor Y. The vicious cycling: bicycling related urogenital disorders. Eur Urol. 2005;47(3):277–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Allen RE, Hosker GL, Smith AR, Warrell DW. Pelvic floor damage and childbirth: a neurophysiological study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990;97(9):770–779.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Lien KC, Morgan DM, Delancey JO, Ashton-Miller JA. Pudendal nerve stretch during vaginal birth: a 3D computer simulation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005;192(5):1669–1676.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Soulie M, Vazzoler N, Seguin P, Chiron P, Plante P. Urological consequences of pudendal nerve trauma during orthopedic surgery: review and practical advice. Prog Urol. 2002;12(3):504–509.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Amarenco G, Ismael SS, Bayle B, Denys P, Kerdraon J. Electrophysiological analysis of pudendal neuropathy following traction. Muscle Nerve. 2001;24(1):116–119.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Antolak S, Hough D, Pawlina W, Spinner RJ. Anatomical basis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: the ischial spine and pudendal nerve entrapment. Med Hypotheses. 2002;59(3):349–353.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Labat JJ, Robert R, Bensignor M, Buzelin JM. Neuralgia of the pudendal nerve. Anatomo-clinical considerations and therapeutical approach. J Urol (Paris). 1990;96(5):329–344.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Amarenco G, Lancoe Y, Ghnassia RT, Goudal H, Pernigot M. Alcock’s canal syndrome and perineal neuralgia. Rev Neurol (Paris). 1988;144(8–9):523–526.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Juenemann K-P, Lue TF, Scmidt RA, Tanagho EA. Clinical significance of sacral and pudendal nerve anatomy. J Urol. 1988;139(1):74–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Gruber H, Kovacs P, Piegger J, Brenner E. New, simple, ultrasound-guided infiltration of the pudendal nerve: topographic basics. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44(9):1376–1380.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Mahakkanukrauh P, Surin P, Vaidhayakarn P. Anatomical study of the pudendal nerve adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament. Clin Anat. 2005;18(3):200–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Shafik A, Doss SH. Pudendal canal: surgical anatomy and clinical implications. Am Surg. 1999;65(2):176–180.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. O’Bichere A, Green C, Phillips RK. New, simple approach for maximal pudendal nerve exposure: anomalies and prospects for functional reconstruction. Dis Colon Rectum. 2000;43(7):956–960.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Thompson JR, Gibbs S, Genadry R, Burros L, Lambrou N, Buller JL. Anatomy of pelvic arteries adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: importance of the coccygeal branch of the inferior gluteal artery. Obstet Gynecol. 1999;94(6):973–977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Shafik A, el-Sherif M, Youssef A, Olfat ES. Surgical anatomy of the pudendal nerve and its clinical implications. Clin Anat. 1995;8(2):110–115.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Schraffordt SE, Tjandra JJ, Eizenberg N, Dwyer PL. Anatomy of the pudendal nerve and its terminal branches: a cadaver study. ANZ J Surg. 2004;74(1–2):23–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Sedy J, Nanka O, Belisova M, Walro JM, Jarolim L. Sulcus nervi dorsalis penis/clitoridis: anatomic structure and clinical significance. Eur Urol. 2006;50(5):1079–1085.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Bowes WA. Clinical aspects of normal and abnormal labour. In: Resnick R, Creasy RK, eds. Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1989:510–546.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Naja Z, Ziade MF, Lonnqvist PA. Nerve stimulator-guided pudendal nerve block decreases ­posthemorrhoidectomy pain. Can J Anaesth. 2005;52(1):62–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Imbelloni LE, Viera EM, Gouveia MA, Netinho JG, Spirandelli LD, Cordeiro JA. Pudendal block with bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief. Dis Colon Rectum. 2007;50(10):1656–1661.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Prat-Pradal D, Metge L, Gagnard-Landra C, Mares P, Dauzat M, Godlewski G. Anatomical basis of transgluteal pudendal nerve block. Surg Radiol Anat. 2009;31(4):289–293.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Choi SS, Lee PB, Kim YC, Kim HJ, Lee SC. C-arm guided pudendal nerve block: a new technique. Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60(5):553–556.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Kovacs P, Gruber H, Piegger J, Bodner G. New, simple, ultrasound-guided infiltration of the pudendal nerve: ultrasonographic technique. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44(9):1381–1385.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Hough DM, Wittenberg KH, Pawlina W, et al. Chronic perineal pain caused by pudendal nerve entrapment: anatomy and CT-guided perineural injection technique. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;181(2):561–567.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philip W. H. Peng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chan, CW., Peng, P.W.H. (2011). Ultrasound-Guided Blocks for Pelvic Pain. In: Narouze, S. (eds) Atlas of Ultrasound-Guided Procedures in Interventional Pain Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1681-5_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1681-5_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1679-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1681-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics