Preparation of neuroradiologic procedures: a questionnaire

Responses to a questionnaire sent to members of the ASNR indicated that most neuroradiologists do not believe extensive precautions reduce the infection rate for the routine patient undergoing myelography or femoral cerebral angiography. Most neuroradiologists queried do not routinely perform a surgical scrub before each procedure. Most wear sterile gloves and gowns, but not caps or masks. They do prepare the puncture site in a meticulous manner. Concern was expressed for the likelihood of causing infection in patients undergoing extensive procedures such as angioplasty or embolization, puncturing femoral grafts, or in the presence of artificial heart valves. The increased likelihood of incurring infections in diabetic or immunosuppressed patients was also expressed. In these patients, meticulous surgical technique was deemed mandatory.