A REVIEW OF THE SINUVERTEBRAL NERVE IN DISCOGENIC PAIN: ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability globally, significantly affecting patients' quality of life, and posing a substantial socioeconomic burden. As a major contributor to CLBP, discogenic low back pain (DLBP) is caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. This review explores the role of the sinuvertebral nerve (SVN) in the transmission of pain associated with DLBP. The complex anatomy of the SVN, with its sympathetic components and multiple levels of origin, contributes to the diffuse and poorly localized nature of pain, thereby complicating the diagnosis and management of DLBP. Imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging have limitations in detecting endplate pathologies, whereas more specific approaches such as SVN block and discography offer promise for both diagnosis and pain relief. This review summarizes existing knowledge regarding the role of the SVN in transmitting pain from intervertebral discs and related structures, while also emphasizing the contribution of intervertebral discs to the etiology of discogenic pain. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.