Posted on November 17, 2009 in Arthritis Treatment
Arthrography is the imaging procedure of a joint. Here the joint is exposed to a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material containing iodine is injected into the joint.
Flouroscopy is the advanced technique of imaging that has clear images showing both anatomical position and functioning of the joint.
Arthrogram is the outcome image of the joint after the procedure of arthrography. This is one of the procedures of diagnosis of arthritis.
Principle of Arthrography:
A small dose of ionizing radiation is produced by injecting calculated amount of iodine into the soft tissues around a joint. After this the joint is exposed to x-rays and the image is captured. When the iodine is injected the inner lining of the joint structures are coated with iodine. They appear as a bright white layers on arthrogram. This allows the radiologist to examine the anatomy and function of the joint clearly.
Patient Preparation for Arthography:
Arthography is a simple non-invasive technique. But being a radioactive procedure it need some preparations such as:
- The patient needs to inform the physician all the medications he is using.
- The doctor should know if the patient has any allergies to radioactive materials.
- The doctor should be informed about the patient’s recent illness and long term diseases like hay fever or asthama etc.
- The patient is asked to remove jewellery, eye glasses and any other metal object that he may be wearing. This is because all these may interfear with x-images.
- Women should inform their physicians if they are pregnant. Imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy due to potential harm to the fetus unless it is indispensable.
- Patient should wear a special gown or dress designed so as to have a minimum exposure to the radiation.
The Procedure:
Skin around the joint is cleansed with antiseptic. The joint is numbed using a local anesthetia. A needle is inserted into the joint and then the fluid is taken out for the examination which may be sent for laboratory analysis.
Now, the contrast material is injected into the joint space and the needle is removed. The patient is asked to move the joint for uniform distribution of the contrast material in the joint. Images are then obtained keeping the joint in various positions. The whole procedure is usually accomplished within 30 minutes.
Advantages of Arthography:
- The main advantage of arthography is that it is very effective technique for detecting the anatomy and the physiology of the joint.
- It can clearly show tears, lesions of structures and the ligaments of the joints, especially the knee joint.
- It can also show clearly the dislocation of the joint.
- Mostly all the radiation is removed and no radiation remains in the patient’s body.
- It is non-invasive and a convenient procedure.
Disadvantages of Arthography:
- There is always a risk of cancer whenever there is radiation exposure. Arthography has a slight risk of cancer from the excessive exposure to radiation.
- Benefits of Arthography cannot be given to the patient having allergies to iodine or radioactive materials.
- Pregant women can be exceptions for arthography.
- The procedure calls for the extra care for the using sterile needles. It also needs preparation of the patient for the better imaging of the joint.
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