Arthrography

Whereas in direct arthrography the CM is administered directly into the joint, in indirect arthrography it is administered intravenously and only diffuses into the joint in the second step.

Advantages and disadvantages of arthrography

Advantages

As a rule, a direct arthrography is performed to clarify questions about changes or pathologies in the joint. The KM in the joint causes a distension or widening of the capsule on the one hand and an increase in the contrast of joint structures on the other. This allows joint changes to be detected and diagnosed much more subtly and specifically. Indirect arthrography is rarely performed nowadays.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of this method are the direct KM application required, which is usually carried out by puncturing the joints using fluoroscopy. However, the puncture pain is comparable to that of a conventional intramuscular vaccination.

Procedure

Preparation for arthrography

As before every MR examination, you will be asked to change your clothes and put on special examination gowns for the MR examination. If intravenous KM administration is necessary, a venous access is placed at a suitable point on the forearm.

Arthrography procedure

Once the extremities have been correctly positioned, the appropriate puncture site is first identified using fluoroscopy and then the joint is punctured. To check the correct needle position in the joint, a small amount of iodine-containing X-ray contrast medium is applied; depending on the modality (CT or MR), the appropriate contrast medium is then applied (containing iodine or gadolinium). After the puncture and KM application, the actual arthrography examination is performed using MR or CT.

The duration of the examination is approx. 30-40 min incl. prior radiologically targeted KM administration.

Aftercare of arthrography

No special aftercare is required.