“spinal dye injection”
Neurosurgeon wants to do a spinal dye injection for my nerve pain, Is it very painful and are there alternatives?
Male | 65 years old
3 Answers
Neurosurgeon
Typically MRI is the preferred imaging study to evaluate the spine and diseases related to the spine. In certain cases (i.e. existing hardware from a previous spinal fusion) CT Myelogram (dye injection) can be very helpful. This is typically performed by interventional radiologist or neurosurgeons and will be under local anesthetics. It may be uncomfortable but generally well tolerated.
Spinal dye would be helpful to obtain a diagnosis but not for pain relief. An MRI would be another option for a test.
Dr. Juan Torres-Reveron
Neurosurgeon
You are probably taking about a myelogram to evaluate the nerves in the spine. A spinal tap has to be done to inject the fluid. In general the area can be sore during the procedure but the amount of pain should be tolerable. An MRI is an alternative but sometimes the myelogram can provide different information.
