Medical Physics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Medical Physics, including details on medicine, radiotherapy, biomechanics, medical imaging.

Is subcutaneous local anesthesia in shoulder magnetic resonance arthrography necessary?

Koivikko MP, Koskinen SK

Helsinki Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Töölö Trauma Center, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Magnetic resonance arthrography is a well-established diagnostic method in degenerative and traumatic disorders of the shoulder. Some radiologists prefer to apply a local anesthetic to the skin prior to performing the joint puncture. However, no information regarding the efficacy of local anesthetics exists. Purpose: To assess patient discomfort in arthrography injection. Material and Methods: A patient survey (n = 74) utilizing a visual analog scale (VAS) measured the intensity of pain in arthrography injection by those receiving local anesthetics (n = 36) versus those who did not (n = 38). Results: Mean VAS scores were 20.8 (median 10.5, SD 24.3) for those receiving local anesthetics versus 19.3 (median 13.0, SD 20.7) for those who did not (P = 0.83, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusion: Routine use of local anesthesia of the skin in arthrography injection is unnecessary.

Published 30 August 2007 in Acta Radiol, 48(7): 741-3.
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