ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Administration of contrast agents for demonstrating the spinal canal is performed via which route?

1. Subcutaneous

2. Intravenous

3. Intramuscular

4. Intrathecal

The correct answer is: Intrathecal

The administration of contrast agents for demonstrating the spinal canal is performed via the intrathecal route. This method involves injecting the contrast directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the spinal cord. By using this route, healthcare providers can obtain clear imaging of the spinal canal, allowing for the visualization of structures such as the spinal cord and nerve roots. Intrathecal administration is particularly valuable in procedures like myelography, where the detailed delineation of the spinal anatomy is critical. This approach provides a significantly higher concentration of the contrast agent in the CSF compared to other routes, enhancing the quality of the imaging results. The other routes, such as subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular, do not allow for adequate visualization of the spinal canal because they do not deliver the contrast agent directly into the CSF. Intravenous administration distributes the contrast agent throughout the bloodstream and tissues, while intramuscular and subcutaneous methods involve injections into muscle or fat tissue, which do not provide the necessary access to the spinal canal for effective imaging purposes. Therefore, the intrathecal route is the optimal choice for this specific application in imaging the spinal canal.