Interventional radiology is a special field of radiology.  Special trained interventional radiologists perform minor surgery, intravenous injections or other minor procedures while using x-rays, CT scans, or other tests.  Interventional exams are generally less costly and traumatic, and you recover faster than you would with surgery. 

At Intermountain Medical Imaging, these procedures are done with sophisticated Siemen's digital equipment.  In addition to the radiologist, a registered nurse and technologist will care for you during your stay.  All patients are monitored during and after the procedure.

A Myelogram is a simple test performed to look at the spinal sac and the nerve roots that exit from the spinal canal.  There are two types of myelograms; Low Dose Myelogram and Full Dose Myelogram.  In both cases, the radiologist will place contrast (x-ray dye) into the spinal sac, through a small needle that he/she inserts into the low back.  Once the contrast (dye) has been placed, the needle will be removed and a CT scan will be performed.

A Discogram is an enhanced x-ray examination of the intervertebral discs.  Dye is injected into the center of the injured disc(s).  The dye makes the disc clearly visible on x-ray film and on a fluoroscope.  A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area of the back to be tested.  A needle is then inserted from the back.  It goes into the very center of the disc.  The fluoroscope makes it possible for a doctor to see on the screen your spine and the needle as it moves.  The doctor watches the screen as the needle in inserted to make sure it goes into the correct disc space. If this test causes pain that is similar to your back or leg pain, it is a good indication that the disc is causing problems. 

Vertebroplasty is an image-guided, minimally invasive, nonsurgical therapy used to strengthen a broken vertebra (spinal bone) that has been weakened by osteoporosis or, less commonly, cancer.  Vertebroplasty can increase the patient's functional ability, allow a return to the previous level of activity, and prevent further vertebral collapse.  It is usually successful at alleviating the pain caused by a compression fracture.  Often performed on an outpatient basis, vertebroplasty is accomplished by injecting a cement mixture through a needle into the fractured bone.

An Epidural Injection is a block that is performed under fluoroscopy to confirm a specific diagnosis and/or decrease pain and inflammation.  A spinal needle is inserted into the epidural space of the lumbar or caudal spine, and an anesthetic and steroid are injected into the epidural space.  Relief of pain occurs when the medication reaches the inflamed area or source of pain.

Facet joints are small joints at each segment of the spine that provide stability and help guide motion.  The facet joints can become painful due to arthritis of the spine, a back injury or mechanical stress to the back.  As with many spinal injections, facet joint injections are best performed using fluoroscopy (live x-ray) for guidance to properly target and place the needle and to help avoid nerve injury.  A small area of skin on the back will be numbed with anesthetic.  The physician will then use x-ray guidance to direct a very small needle into the joint.  Several drops of contrast dye are then injected to confirm that the medicine only goes into the joint.  A small mixture of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication is then slowly injected into the joint.