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Semin intervent Radiol 2010; 27(2): 160-171
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253514
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Joint Injections

Salvatore Masala1 , Roberto Fiori1 , Dario Alberto Bartolucci1 , Matteo Mammucari1 , Giorgios Angelopoulos1 , Francesco Massari1 , Giovanni Simonetti1
  • 1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Interventional Radiology, Radiotherapy, and Nuclear Medicine, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Joint injection is a useful tool in the diagnosis of intra-articular pathology that may improve diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Historically, conventional arthrography under fluoroscopy was the first method to be used to image indirectly the intra-articular soft tissues, but with the advent of CT, CT arthrography offered better soft tissue depiction. The development of conventional MR allowed even better visualization of soft tissues, and in the early 1990s, MR arthrography surpassed CT arthrography in popularity. Joint injections may also be performed for therapeutic reasons with different drugs, such as corticosteroids, anesthetics, or hyaluronic acid, which have been shown to provide pain relief in various circumstances. In this article, the technical principles for joint injection of the shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, ankle, and wrist, used for therapeutic or diagnostic reasons, are discussed. Indications, expected benefits, and risks are also analyzed.

KEYWORDS

Joint - arthrography - injection - shoulder - wrist - knee - hip - ultrasonography - magnetic resonance

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Dario Alberto BartolucciM.D. 

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Interventional Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine

Policlinico Tor Vergata, v.le Oxford 81,00133, Rome; Italy

Email: bartolucci.md@gmail.com