Is subcutaneous local anesthesia in shoulder magnetic resonance arthrography necessary?
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.


OBJECTIVE
To assess patient discomfort in arthrography injection.


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).


CONCLUSIONS
Routine use of local anesthesia of the skin in arthrography injection is unnecessary.
Koivikko
M P
MP
Helsinki Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Töölö Trauma Center, Topeliuksenkatu 5, FIN-00029 Helsinki, Finland. mika.koivikko@hus.fi
Koskinen
S K
SK
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001175:Arthrography / Q000009:adverse effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D003287:Contrast Media; D008012:Lidocaine; D005682:Gadolinium