After the publishing of our article “Ultrasound guidance for puncture and injection in the radiocarpal joint” in Acta Radiologica 2007;48:744–7, it has come to our knowledge that the article contains an error and some misunderstanding. Therefore we want to present some clarifications:
The dates for collecting the patient material has by mistake been distorted during the writing process. The correct dates for collection of the material is between May 2000 and May 2002.
The study was designed according to the description of the method in the article, and at least two radiologists performed all their examinations in that way. It has come to our attention that in course of time the method has been simplified by some participating radiologists, using ultrasonography for localization of injection site, but not to follow the entrance of the needle into the joint. Some participants claim that they with time have shifted to inject blindly, without ultrasound guidance, and even without local anaesthesia.
In course of time many radiologists achieve knowledge and experience enabling both streamlining and individual modifications of a certain technique. Such a development of a technique, common in the field of interventional radiology, is dependent on individual experience, initiative and handiness. The decision to use, or alternatively, not to use, local anaesthesia to numb the skin and subcutaneous tissues is based on each radiologist's experience and personal preference. Most likely it does not affect the outcome of the procedure itself.