ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Which of the following procedures requires an intrathecal injection?

1. IVP

2. myelogram

3. lymphangiogram

4. CT scan

The correct answer is: myelogram

The procedure that requires an intrathecal injection is a myelogram. In this procedure, a contrast agent is injected directly into the spinal canal to allow for visualization of the spinal cord and nerve roots through imaging techniques such as X-ray or CT. The intrathecal injection places the contrast media in close proximity to the structures being examined, enhancing the detail and clarity of the images. In contrast, an IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) involves injecting a contrast agent into a vein, primarily to visualize the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. A lymphangiogram uses an injection into lymphatic vessels, and a CT scan can utilize various contrast methods, but none of these require an intrathecal approach. The myelogram's specific need for direct access to the cerebrospinal fluid space through an intrathecal injection clearly distinguishes it as the correct answer.