Why is the carotid artery avoided during cervical discography?

The carotid artery is avoided during cervical discography primarily to avoid internal bleeding. This is a critical consideration during any procedure that involves invasive access to the cervical spine. The carotid artery runs in close proximity to the cervical spine, and inadvertent puncture could lead to significant bleeding, which can result in serious complications such as hematoma formation, airway compromise, and potentially life-threatening conditions.

During cervical discography, the goal is to assess the intervertebral discs while minimizing risks to the patient. By avoiding the carotid artery, practitioners enhance patient safety and ensure that the procedure remains focused on the intended area—the discs—without the added risk of vascular injury that would complicate the situation.

Although puncturing the trachea, minimizing infection risk, and preventing damage to surrounding tissue are all important considerations in this type of procedure, the avoidance of the carotid artery is fundamentally centered on preventing internal bleeding, which has immediate and serious consequences for patient safety.