Sainte Marie Hospital of Marie Galante - Guadeloupe French West Indies
Osteoarticular Interventional radiology
Interventional osteoarticular radiology is carried out by an experienced radiologist under radiographic or ultrasound control, in order to position the needle and inject the anti-inflammatory product in exactly the right place.
All procedures are preceded by a diagnostic scan or MRI and a pre-intervention consultation with the specialist.
Before any operation, a diagnosis is made on the spot during a pre-intervention consultation, which consists of: 1/ checking that the procedure is indicated. 2/ looking for any contraindications by asking the patient about any allergies and taking a blood sample to check for any blood coagulation problems or any current infectious syndrome. The diagnoses sought by the blood test are : CBC - platelets - prothrombin rate (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). 3/ If the blood sample is taken in one of our laboratories in Guadeloupe, a period of 72 hours is required between the pre-intervention consultation and the operation.
INFILTRATION OF PERIPHERAL JOINTS
Infiltration is a medical procedure that involves injecting a drug, usually a corticosteroid or a hyaluronic acid gel (viscosupplementation), into the area to be treated. Some infiltrations (hips or vertebrae) may be carried out under radiological control. After local disinfection, the product is injected into the joint using a needle. Once the needle has been removed, you will be given a bandage to keep on for a few hours.s.
SPINAL INFILTRATIONS: CERVICAL - DORSAL OR LUMBAR
A spinal infiltration is an injection of medication into the spine. It is a minimally invasive procedure (compared with surgery, in particular), which can help to relieve neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica or cervicobrachial neuralgia, for example. After disinfecting the skin and administering a local anaesthetic, the doctor uses radioguidance (television) to place the needle close to the nerve and inject the anti-inflammatory medication. A small amount of iodinated contrast may be injected to check that the needle is in the correct position.
HERNIECTOMY
CT herniectomy is an interventional radiology technique developed for the treatment of sciatica and cruralgia related to a herniated disc. It involves directly approaching a herniated disc in interventional radiology to decompress a nerve and reduce nerve pain in the thigh and/or leg. The principle is to fragment the piece of disc responsible for the herniated disc by entering the herniated disc through a small opening.
CEMENTOPLASTY
This involves injecting cement into one or more weakened vertebrae or bones in order to consolidate and reduce pain. This procedure requires 24/48 hours' hospitalisation. The procedure is carried out by radiologists in an interventional radiology suite, usually under general anaesthetic but may also be performed under sedation. The doctor locates the vertebra(s) and plans the needle trajectories. He then places the needles, injects the cement into the body of the vertebra (strong odour), and finally removes the needles.
KYPHOPLASTY
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. It involves inflating a balloon in a fractured vertebra so that a "cement" (plastic polymer) can be injected. The procedure can be performed under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation, depending on the patient's wishes. Post-operative monitoring is carried out either as an outpatient or during an overnight stay in hospital.
PERIPHERAL OR SPINAL BONE BIOPSY OR SOFT TISSUE BIOPSY
A bone biopsy involves removing small fragments of bone. These samples are analysed under a microscope. An osteo-medullary biopsy enables us to better assess the richness of the marrow in cells, their disposition, the presence of abnormal cells, changes in the tissues that hold the cells together and the appearance of the bone trabeculae.
INTERSPINOUS IMPLANTS FOR A NARROWED LUMBAR CANAL
The placement of an interspinous implant under CT scan is an interventional radiology technique used in the treatment of symptoms associated with an acquired narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal (also known as narrowed lumbar spinal canal or lumbar spinal canal stenosis). The aim is to place a spinal implant through the skin in a very precise location in order to "reopen" the lumbar spinal canal through which the nerves that innervate the lower limbs pass.