MR and CT arthrography of the elbow.

Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography has, to a great extent, replaced conventional and CT arthrography as the standard of care imaging tool for indications including medial elbow pain in the throwing athlete, chondral and osteochondral lesions in the elbow, and intra-articular bodies. There are still rare specific incidences where CT arthrography is indicated. This article reviews elbow arthrography, with a greater emphasis placed on MR arthrography, including indications, technique, potential complications, contraindications, equipment, and MR arthrographic pathologies.

A survey: conscious sedation with epidural and zygapophyseal injections: is it necessary?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Substantial variation exists regarding the use of sedation before interventional spine techniques. Patient preference should play an important role in decision making regarding the need for sedation. However, little is known about patients' anxiety levels before spinal injections and their perceptions about the necessity of sedation. PURPOSE: To determine patient perception for need for sedation before epidural steroid injections and zygapophyseal joint injections. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Survey of consecutive spinal injection patients in an outpatient spine center. PATIENT SAMPLE: 500 consecutive lumbar, thoracic, and cervical patients receiving spinal injections. OUTCOME MEASURES: A 12-item questionnaire assessing patients' perceived anxiety before to a spinal injection. METHODS: Subjects were given the questionnaire after their spinal injection. Percentages requesting sedation for a first and potential second procedure were assessed. Additionally, anxiety level and pain rating, location of injection, age, sex, and other medication use were analyzed to determine the effect on the request for sedation. RESULTS: 17% of patients questioned requested sedation before an injection, and 28% would request sedation if they were to have a second injection. CONCLUSIONS: Routine sedation before diagnostic and therapeutic injections is not necessary as the majority of patients would not request sedation before the procedure when given the option. However, in some patients sedation is indicated, and all patients would benefit from educational material on sedation before the injection.

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: incidence in a consecutive patient series.

BACKGROUND: Great variability exists in the reported frequency of transitional vertebra in the general population as well as in symptomatic lumbar spine patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence rate of transitional vertebra in consecutive lumbar spine patients in our practice. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study METHODS: Plain films were viewed and the presence or absence of a lumbar transitional vertebra was documented. Transitional vertebrae were classified as incomplete or complete. RESULTS: Of the 300 consecutive patients, 30% had a transitional vertebra. CONCLUSION: Our percentage of patients with a transitional vertebra was higher than the percentages reported for the general population. This supports our belief that the alteration in mechanics caused by a transitional vertebra may at times contribute to pain generation. Additionally, as a transitional segment may not always be visualized on MRI, obtaining plain films prior to an injection or surgery will help prevent confusion over the appropriate level for the procedure.