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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:1004-1007, May 2005
© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology

Technical Note
SPINE

Cervical Diskography Performed with a "Prong Deflector" for Improved Access to the Cervical Disk Spaces

Walter S. Bartynski^a, Stephen Z. Grahovac^a and William E. Rothfus^a

^a Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. S.Z.G. is currently at Christiana Hospital, Newark, DE

Address correspondence to Walter S. Bartynski, MD, Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, D132, Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh PA 15313

Summary: The "prong deflector" tool improves accuracy and ease of access to the cervical disk spaces for use in cervical diskography. The tool allows control, deflection, and stabilization of vital neck structures (carotid artery, thyroid cartilages and pharynx) while allowing fluoroscopic visualization during needle insertion without direct operator radiation exposure. Use of the prong deflector resulted in marked reduction of fluoroscopy per cervical level studied because of more rapid access to disk space.