The Combined Utility of Angio-CT and MRI in Managing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: a Prospective Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Transarterial Microembolization

The Combined Utility of Angio-CT and MRI in Managing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: a Prospective Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Transarterial Microembolization

Transarterial microembolization (TAME) is a novel treatment option for chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially suitable for patients who have not responded to conservative treatment or are unsuitable for surgical procedures. This minimally invasive technique primarily targets abnormal neovascularization for embolization, relying heavily on precise information provided by various imaging techniques to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. This study aims to explore the application of integrating preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of patient pain and intraoperative high-resolution synchronous imaging information from fused computed tomography (CT) and angiography systems. This integration is intended to enhance preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and final treatment outcome assessment, focusing on its crucial contribution to treatment success. It is hoped that this approach will provide pain intervention physicians with reliable diagnostic tools and safe treatment methods, thereby improving treatment outcomes for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with chronic musculoskeletal shoulder or knee joint pain in our hospital, including degenerative knee arthritis, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, and those confirmed by physical examination or ultrasound-guided injection to have tendinopathy or ligamentopathy, who have failed drug therapy, rehabilitation, or injection treatments, with a duration of symptoms greater than three months, are the target population of this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy, coagulation disorders, symptoms of relevant local infections or tumors, and patients allergic to contrast agents. Patients must have complete medical records; those who do not meet the inclusion criteria will be excluded.