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.