CT-Guided Spinal Injection

CT-guided precision injection for spinal pain relief, delivered under real-time imaging guidance to ensure exact needle placement. Two protocols are available: epidural drug therapy (EDT) at €330 for disc herniation and nerve root compression, and periradicular therapy (PRT) at €310 for targeted nerve root treatment. Both techniques use CT to guide the needle to within millimetres of the target structure, improving efficacy and safety compared to blind injection.

CT-guided spinal injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication — typically a combination of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic — directly to the site of nerve compression in the spine, using CT imaging to confirm needle position before injection. The CT guidance allows sub-millimetre needle placement accuracy, which is particularly important in the lumbar and cervical spine where closely adjacent neural and vascular structures must be avoided. Two techniques are offered at ALTA Klinik Berlin: **Epidural Drug Therapy (EDT, €330):** The medication is delivered into the epidural space, the fluid-filled region surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. EDT is used for central or bilateral symptoms affecting multiple nerve roots simultaneously, as the injection spreads within the epidural space to bathe the affected structures. Common indications include lumbar canal stenosis, multi-level disc herniation, and post-operative scar tissue irritation. **Periradicular Therapy (PRT, €310):** The medication is delivered to the immediate vicinity of a specific spinal nerve root, targeting unilateral radiculopathy (sciatica or cervical radiculopathy) caused by a disc protrusion or foraminal stenosis. PRT is more selective than EDT and is preferred when symptoms are clearly lateralised to a single nerve root. Both procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under local skin anaesthesia. The CT imaging confirms needle position before injection, after which the patient is monitored briefly and can typically leave within 30–60 minutes. Pain relief may be felt immediately from the local anaesthetic component, with the corticosteroid effect typically building over 48–72 hours and lasting weeks to months. The procedure can be repeated if clinically indicated.