Medical Professionals # The Arthrogram

A close friend hurt his shoulder. He had a MRI which showed a little arthritis and tendon inflammation. He had a few weeks of rehab and continued to have shoulder pain. At this point, his orthopedic surgeon ordered a MRI arthrogram. My friend did not know what an arthrogram was and how was it different from his first MRI.

Q: What is an arthrogram? How is it performed? Q: What is the arthrogram dye? What happens after A: An arthrogram is the procedure of injecting dye into the joint. After the it is injected? dye is injected, images are taken. This is most commonly done by CT or A: If the patient is having an MRI arthrogram, the dye is MRI contrast that MRI. An arthrogram can be performed on any joint but the most common is heavily diluted with sterile saline (mild salt water). If the patient is having joints are the shoulders, knees, hips, and wrists. a CT arthrogram, the dye is CT contrast that is heavily diluted with sterile The radiologist cleans the skin using a sterilizing antiseptic and drapes saline. the area with sterile dressings. Using a local anesthetic such as novacaine, Once the dye is injected, the patient has their MRI or CT. Afterwards, the skin and deeper soft tissue is numbed. A very thin needle is inserted the dye in the joint will naturally absorb into the body. Since the dye is into the joint using the x-ray images as a guide. A tiny amount of x-ray dye mostly salt water, it is safely injected, absorbed, and eventually excreted. is injected into the joint to confirm the needle is in the correct area. Then the joint is filled with the arthrogram dye. After the arthrogram dye has Q: What is the benefit of doing an arthrogram? been injected, the patient is escorted to either the MRI or the CT scanner A: Slightly distending the joint with fluid makes it easier to see inside (depending on what type of arthrogram they are having). the joint. The injected dye helps outline what is inside the joint to help determine whether anything is torn. This is especially helpful to detect labral tears in the shoulders and hips.

Q: Is the procedure painful? A: The joint is made numb with the local anesthetic. Afterwards the joint can feel sore however this does not last more than 24 hours and is easily treated with Tylenol or Advil.

Q: How should I prepare for an arthrogram? A: No special preparation is usually required. It is best to wear comfortable clothes without metal (buttons, zippers, hooks, etc.). Cyrus Khorrami, M.D. Medical Director

The white fluid help outline the structures inside the joint to We are excited to determine what is intact and what is torn. This patient has a Visit announce we now subtle labral tear that can only be seen on this arthrogram. www.TomsRiverXray.com accept Aetna!

PARVIZ KHORRAMI, M.D. CYRUS KHORRAMI, M.D. Founder Medical Director PARVIN MOTEMADEN KHORRAMI, M.D. PET/CT 1.5 T and 3 T High Ultrasound Field Open Bore MRIs CT Scan 3-D Mammography Diagnostic X-Ray Nuclear Medicine 732-244-0777 Bone Densitometry Deer Chase Professional Park • 154 Route 37 West • Toms River, NJ 08755 • Fax: 732-244-1428 5www.TomsRiverXray.com5

The County Woman Magazine www.TheCountyWoman.com January/February 2019