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flouroscope
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Posted by: MaryannaC ® 03/06/2007, 15:45:42

I recently had some back problems and am getting a series of epidural steroid injections. In order to put the steroid in exactly the right place, the docs use a flouroscope, so they can visualize where the injection is going. Now, when we get Botox injections, those injections are generally not visualized (unless your doc drops a camera down your nose). Anybody have any idea why voice docs don't use the technology the use for spinal injections -- thereby getting the injection in exactly the right spot every time? Just curious.

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Re: flouroscope Re: flouroscope -- MaryannaC Top of thread Archive Posted by: mdubovick ® 03/09/2007, 23:41:17 Since no one responded to your question, I thought I'd give it a try. I certainly do NOT know the answer as it is a question that might take a doctor to answer. But I did some searching on the Internet so consider the source.... Before discussing fluoroscoping, maybe it's worth a moment to describe what ENTs do use, an EMG. When Botox shots are administered with the use of an Electromygraphy (EMG) guided needle, accuracy of injecting into the target muscle is usually very good. The EMG measures the electrical activity in the target muscle so the doctor knows when the correct location is reached. I was very interested in your question about the use of a fluoroscope. It seems that many Fluoroscopes are operated by Radiologists. Having a Radiologist and a Otolaryngologist (ENT) could make the procedure cost more I imagine. Also, the fluoroscope works by building its image with the use of contrast dye such as barium. How could they use contrast dye in your mouth, near the vocal cord muscles? Maybe that is the biggest reason why they don't use a fluoroscope for a Botox shot. Just a theory....... Modified by mdubovick at Fri, Mar 30, 2007, 23:07:36 | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: flouroscope Re: Re: flouroscope -- mdubovick Top of thread Archive Posted by: MaryannaC ® 03/30/2007, 17:43:27 Sorry it too, me so long to get back here. I didn't see any response for a while, and just forgot I'd even posted this until today. Actually, for my epidural steroid injections I'm not aware that they used any contrast -- I received an IV (in a vein in the back of my hand) anethetic and a local anesthetic (lydocaine). The procedure was explained to me in detail, and no one ever mentioned a contrasting agent such as barium. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: flouroscope Re: flouroscope -- MaryannaC Top of thread Archive Posted by: narelle ® 03/13/2007, 18:04:44 I always had a camera up my nose and down my thraot for botox injections. Cheers Narelle, Australia, AD/SD 20 years, Successful Thyroplasty Type II Surgery 2000 | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: flouroscope Re: flouroscope -- MaryannaC Top of thread Archive Posted by: Keith ® 03/15/2007, 07:55:13 My doctor does use both methods - EMG and scope to administer the injections. In the event that the needle becomes clogged on the way through, he will sometimes have to rely solely on the scope. It also somewhat depends on whether the patient has AB or AD. Direct visualization of the PCA muscles is not possible during an injection for AB, but the scope still helps the doctor to see where the needle is going. In my case (AB), the EMG is the more critical component to ensure accurate placement. Keith ABSD Pennsylvania | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page