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A comparison of myelography and computer tomography in lumbar disc herniation.

We report a retrospective study of 219 patients with lumbar disc lesions in whom the operative findings were compared with the results of computer tomography (CT) and myelography. When used alone each method achieved virtually the same degree of accuracy (87.8% and 87.4%). Particular attention was paid to 70 "problem" cases in whom the initial CT diagnosis suggested herniations at different levels which were not in keeping with the clinical symptoms or signs. The operative findings showed that CT had produced 10.4% false positives and 4.4% false negatives. The corresponding results for myelography were 5.9% and 8.9%. Myelography is, therefore, a more exact method of diagnosis for segmental and lateral herniations. After initial computerised tomography, myelography is indicated when there is a discrepancy between CT and the clinical findings.

False Negative Reactions↗

Computed tomogram myelography in cervical spondylosis.

Nine patients with severe and prolonged signs and symptoms due to cervical spondylosis had myelography followed by a CT Scan using the same injection of intrathecal contrast. All patients had radiographic changes of cervical spine degeneration and were being considered for exploration and fusion of the anterior cervical spine. All patients had a full clinical evaluation, EMG studies and plain radiographs taken prior to their CT Scan. EMG readings showed several levels of compression in three patients but did not indicate a single level in any. Plain radiography showed multiple level involvement in every patient. Myelography indicated significant indentation in three of five patients with clinical signs but did not demonstrate root cut off in any case. CT Myelography indicated the degree of Lushka and facet joint involvement, indentation, exit foramen encroachment, and the degree of spinal stenosis at the involved segment. In three patients, the findings at operation correlated closely with the CT Scans. Myelography failed to indicate the presence of significant osteophytes in these two cases.

Adult↗

Lumbar disc disease evaluated by myelography and postmyelography spinal computed tomography.

Five- and ten-millimeter-thick transverse axial computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained at lumbar disc spaces in 81 patients with suspected lumbar disc disease. Scans were obtained following metrizamide myelography. CT and myelography findings were compared and correlated with clinical and surgical findings. Postmyelography CT scan was superior to myelography in 68% since it was able to demonstrate even small herniations. It was especially valuable in the L5-S1 space where the wide epidural space can hide the disc herniation without it being demonstrated by myelography. Also other kinds of pathology which may simulate or complicate disc herniation were readily evaluated by postmyelography CT. Although noncontrast CT scans are usually diagnostic and sufficient, the improved anatomical details obtained by postcontrast CT scans, increase the diagnostic accuracy, and selected, complicated cases may need the CT study with intrathecal metrizamide.

Adult↗

Experimental evaluation of watersoluble contrast media for myelography.

An experimental method for testing contrast media for myelography was developed and used to compare three watersoluble contrast media, iocarmate meglumine, iothalamate meglumine and metrizamide after suboccipital myelography in 120 rabbits. A further 71 rabbits served as controls. Iocarmate and iothalamate caused vigorous convulsions; metrizamide did not. Examination of the CSF revealed an acute pleocytosis after installation of the contrast media and after cisternal puncture with injection of hypertonic saline. Histological examination of the spinal cord, nerve roots and meninges revealed pathological changes in 1 or 32 unoperatec controls (3%). Leucocyte infiltrations were found in the meninges, nerve roots and spinal cord of about 20% of the animals after myelography, after cisternal puncture without injection or with injection of hypertonic saline. There were no significant quantitative differences between the experimental groups. Degenerative changes were seen only after myelography. No meningeal fibrosis was demonstrated. An abnormal leucocyte count in the primary CSF influenced the incidence of histological changes, indicating that only rabbits with CSF cell counts within normal limits should be used in future experiments.

Animals↗

[Myelography--what is it really worth?].

The routinelike employment of myelography is attached and as follows established. 1. Primum non nocere! This old medical axiom also here has its validity, there are enough examples of incidents and late damages in employment of this method. 2. The myelography is not reliable. Errors are described. 3. Superfluous painful examinations should be spared for the patient: operation and myelography are two interventions. 4. The myelography costs time and prolongs staying in hospital.

Diagnostic Errors↗

Comparing the cost of spinal MR with conventional myelography and radiculography.

All spinal magnetic resonance imaging examinations carried out during a three month period were analysed retrospectively in order to determine the clinical reasons for the scan requests. Technical details of the examinations they received and the clinical profiles formed a data set which revealed 10 separate "Clinical groups" for management purposes. Hardware, salary and expendables were costed as though the imaging unit had been sited within a National Health Service radiology department. A spread sheet was designed capable of calculating costs per patient for a variety of types of working week and of different staffing structures, sensitive to the mixture of clinical groups referred for examination. The spreadsheet also accomodated straight line depreciation for hardware value and interest rates for borrowed capital. A second, prospectively observed, sample of spinal MR examinations was used to improve the accuracy of the timing of the length of patient examinations. Costs were compared with those for patients submitted for myelography and radiculography at the adjacent hospital during the same period. The comparison indicated that spinal MR was less costly than myelography and radiculography. The most important element of the extra cost of myelography related to the need to admit patients to hospital for at least one night for this examination because of the likelihood of headache and other common (though usually minor) complications following lumbar puncture and/or the injection of contrast medium. From the limited information that it was possible to obtain in the period of follow up, it appeared that MR had either been superior or equivalent to myelography or radiculography in all the clinical groups of patients where both could be tested. There were a number of groups in which no myelograms had been requested, presumably because clinical suspicions had pointed toward conditions like tumours, developmental abnormalities and demyelinating diseases in which neurologists and neurosurgeons have already made up their minds about the superiority of MR.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Myelography for severe thoracolumbar injuries.

Myelography was carried out on 30 patients with severe thoracolumbar injuries. In ten cases the myelography gave specific information which could not have been obtained by any other method. Myelography made within 1 month of trauma gave specific information in only one of 16 cases. Late myelography, in nine of 14 cases, provided valuable specific information about the type of cord atrophy, dorsal scar formation and transsection of the cord.

Adolescent↗

Patient attitudes to myelography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging when examined for suspected lumbar disc herniation.

In reports of diagnostic methods in disorders of the spine focus is centred on diagnostic resolution, while psychological effects and patients' discomfort are often disregarded. To get a comprehensive picture of the appropriateness of a new technology the latter factors need to be explored and included in an assessment. In a prospective study, eight patients with signs of lumbar disc herniation underwent myelography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. A structured patient interview on attitudes to these technologies was carried out after all three examinations had been carried out. Myelography was most often reported painful and unpleasant among the three modalities. Discomfort due to magnetic resonance imaging stem from the narrow calibre of the machine and the noise. In computed tomography immobilization was the main reason for discomfort. Altogether most patients preferred computed tomography. In view of the fact that myelography must be considered as diagnostically inferior to the other two examinations, the reported discomfort from myelography indicates that computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should be the primary examinations for patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Attitude↗

Diagnosis of cervical disc disease. MRI versus cervical myelography.

In a prospective study of 63 surgical patients cervical myelography was compared with MRI to establish the relative value of the 2 diagnostic procedures in patient selection for surgery of ruptured cervical discs and bony nerve root compression. While MRI in the T1-weighted and gradient echo modes matched the diagnostic accuracy of invasive myelography (95%), T1 and T2-weighted MRI images alone were associated with an error rate of 10%. In patients with medial protrusion myelography did not always show the true extent of compression, whereas MRI tended to miss small laterally protruding disc fragments. Cervical myelography continues to have a place in the diagnosis of cervical disc disease, whenever clinical signs and symptoms do not agree with MRI data.

Adult↗

Myelography with a dimeric (iodixanol) and a monomeric (iohexol) contrast medium: a clinical multicentre comparative study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the radiographic efficacy and safety of iodixanol (Visipaque; 270 and 320 mg I/ml) and iohexol (Omnipaque; 300 mg I/ml) in myelography. The study was randomized, double-blind and comparative including 398 patients from five European university clinics. The radiographic visualisation was evaluated as poor, good or excellent. Adverse events were recorded by interviewing the patients after the myelography, and each patient was given a questionnaire to be returned after 1 week. In cervical myelography with cervical puncture more films with excellent quality was obtained after iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.009). Also in lumbar myelography iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared favourably with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.006). The most frequent adverse event was headache, which occurred in 5-35 % of patients during the first 24 h and in 19-61 % within the first 7 days, depending on the centre. There was no difference in frequency and severity of the adverse effects between the contrast media.

Adolescent↗

A double-blind, prospective, randomized, multicenter group comparison study of iopromide 240 vs iohexol 240 in myelography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iopromide 240 mgI/ml in comparison with iohexol 240 mgI/ml in myelography. A total of 421 patients in seven centers and four countries received an average of 11.9 ml of either iopromide 240 (278 patients) or iohexol 240 (143 patients) for X-ray and/or CT myelography in a randomized (2:1), prospective, double-blind study. All patients were followed up 3-4 h after the procedure, and 327 patients remained hospitalized for 24 h. In 82 patients an EEG was recorded prior to as well as 3-4 h and 24 h after myelography. Physical examinations, including measurement of vital signs, were performed in all patients at these time points. The results were subject to statistical analysis with the primary variable being the incidence of adverse events. Both contrast media (CM) were equally effective in terms of opacification. The rating for opacity was "good" or "excellent" in 88 % for both CM. Four patients (iopromide group: n = 3; iohexol group: n = 1) had transient EEG changes but did not show clinical symptomatology. The overall rate of patients experiencing any adverse event (AE) was 16.9 % for iopromide 240 and 14.0 % for iohexol 240. Equivalence testing was inconclusive; however, the results indicated equivalence. The rate for AEs considered as study-drug related was slightly lower with iopromide 240 than with iohexol 240 (7.2 vs 7.7 %, respectively). Neither unknown nor unexpected AEs known for myelographic X-ray CM nor serious adverse events were observed. Iopromide 240 and iohexol 240 are equally safe and effective and can be recommended for myelography.

Adolescent↗

Myelography and epidurography.

To summarize the points discussed in this article, Small animal myelography can be performed competently and safely without specialized equipment. The newer myelographic contrast media (iohexol, iopamidol) have less neurotoxic potential than those media previously used. Myelography is necessary for the diagnosis of many neurologic disorders in small animals. Metrizamide is no longer recommended for myelography in dogs and cats. Iohexol (Isovue) in concentration of 180 mg I/mL to 300 mg I/mL is recommended for small animal myelography. Some patients with serious spinal cord disease can exhibit normal myelograms. Recognizing abnormal myelographic patterns is the hallmark of myelographic interpretation. Anticonvulsive drugs (diazepam, pentobarbital, and phenobarbital) should be available for therapy of postmyelographic seizures. Epidurography is an effective diagnostic technique in the evaluation of canine lumbosacral compressive disease. Abnormalities identified with epidurography correlate well with surgically confirmed lesions.

Animals↗

The validity of upright myelography for diagnosing lumbar disc herniation.

Although computed tomographic (CT) myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for assessing lumbar disc herniations (LDH), they cannot provide images when patients are standing or walking, whose CT myelograms and MRI images show only slight disc bulging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of upright myelography. We examined by myelography in both an upright and a lying position for 50 patients with LDH at L4-5 and L5-S1 to assess the difference in disc bulge size. Lateral myelogram was used for evaluating the difference quantitatively. In 29 patients with damage at L4-5, 21 (72.4%) had increased disc bulging when upright, and 22 (75.9%) showed subligamentous LDH. In 21 patients with damage at L5-S1, fewer patients showed increased disc bulging when upright than showed unchanged disc bulging. This upright myelographic technique could show increased disc bulging in patients with mild compression at L4-5 whose sciatica increased in an upright position. Upright myelography seems to be the only method for assessing patients with LDH, especially at the L4-5 level, whose neurological symptoms develop during standing or walking.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of CT myelography performed in the prone and supine positions in the detection of cervical spinal stenosis.

AIM: To quantify the change in the cross-sectional area of the cervical spinal cord and subarachnoid space (SAS) in the supine neutral vs prone extension positions in patients with myelopathy undergoing cervical CT myelography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Axial CT myelgrams of 21 myelopathic patients were performed in both the supine neutral and prone extension positions. The SAS and cord cross-sectional areas were then measured at the disk spaces and mid-pedicle levels from C2 to T1 in both the supine and prone positions using a public domain NIH Image program, version 156b18. Mean area measurements in both positions were then compared for each level examined. RESULTS: Mean SAS cross-sectional area in the prone position was notably reduced compared with the supine position at C4-C5 [128.8 mm2 vs 168.1 mm2 (P<.05)], and C5-C6 [98.8 mm2 vs 143.2 mm2 (P<.05)] disk levels. The mean cord cross-sectional area failed to change significantly with positioning. CONCLUSIONS: Prone myelography may demonstrate a greater degree of cervical spine stenosis compared with CT myelography performed in the supine position in myelopathic patients. Imaging with the patient prone with neck extended in both myelography and CTM may improve precision in the results of measurements of the stenotic spinal canal when comparing these two methods. Blease Graham III, C. (2001). Clinical Radiology56, 35-39.

Adult↗

[Stress myelography. A new functional study technic in diseases of the lumbar spinal canal].

To optimize functional diagnostics in lumbar syndromes a new myelographic technique was developed termed "loading myelography". During the procedure the patient stands with a 10 kg. weight on his outstretched arms. Based on the law of leverage the load exercised on the vertebral column is more than two and a half times of one-half of the body weight. The author tested the efficacy of the method in 119 patients suffering from disc prolapse, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis or arachnitis. The results of the conventional myelogram compared with myelography under load conditions demonstrate the value of the method: without load the diagnosis would have remained uncertain in 25% and in 18% load myelogram revealed a pathological finding although conventional myelography was normal. We consider as indications for load myelography: Discrepancy between clinical and conventional myelographic findings; clinically expected multisegmental lesions; spinal canal stenosis; and spondylolisthesis.

Humans↗

Lumbar myelography with iohexol and metrizamide. A comparative multicenter prospective study.

Diagnostic quality and adverse reactions associated with metrizamide and iohexol as contrast agents for lumbar myelography were compared in a prospective randomized double-blind study in 350 patients at seven centers. Both contrast media were administered in comparable volumes at a concentration of 180 mg I/ml. Overall quality of radiographic visualization was graded as "good" or "excellent" in 95% of 175 metrizamide studies and in 98% of 175 iohexol myelograms. Ninety-three patients examined with metrizamide (53%) and 130 patients studied with iohexol (74%) experienced no discomfort during or after myelography. The incidence of postmyelographic headache was 38% with metrizamide and 21% with iohexol. Nausea and vomiting were also more common with metrizamide. Five patients examined with metrizamide (3%) experienced transient confusion and disorientation after lumbar myelography. No such reactions were observed after iohexol myelography.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of iopromide 240 after lumbar myelography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of iopromide 240 mg iodine/mL after intrathecal administration. METHODS: Eleven patients with an indication for lumbar myelography received 10 mL iopromide 240 in an open, prospective, single-center study. All patients were followed 72 hours after the procedure and remained in the hospital. Urine was sampled from before the myelography up to 72 hours after the procedure in stages (range, 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-48, and 48-72 hours). Iodine plasma levels were determined before and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after the administration of iopromide 240. Vital signs were measured at baseline, before, and 1 and 24 hours after the procedure. Physical and neurologic examinations were performed in all patients at baseline and at the end of the study period; all adverse events were recorded. The results were subject to pharmacokinetic analysis using compartment model-independent and -dependent methods. RESULTS: Ten of 11 patients had measurable iodine plasma levels. After a lag time of approximately 0.6 hours (mean value), maximum iodine concentrations of 45% of the administered dose per total plasma volume were observed after 3.8 hours. Plasma half-lives ranged from 3.0 to 60.5 hours (model-independent methods) with a mean of 14.9 hours and a standard deviation of 17.0 hours. Using curve fitting with an open one-compartment model revealed good agreement with the model-independent methods (half-life 17.3 hours). The recovery of iodine in urine in the 72-hour period was 78%+/-15% (range, 53%-94%) as a result of an undeterminable loss of urine in some patients and prolonged half-lives in two patients. Only one patient had adverse events 24 hours after myelography. CONCLUSIONS: After lumbar myelography, iopromide 240 is almost completely excreted renally within 72 hours, with a prolonged half-life as a result of the route of administration. The kinetics of iopromide 240 after intrathecal administration are characterized by a prolonged half-life. The safety of the contrast medium was confirmed.

Adult↗

Intradural spinal metastases in pediatric patients with primary intracranial neoplasms: Gd-DTPA enhanced MR vs CT myelography.

Recently, the application of intravenous gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) has been shown to improve the detection of intradural extramedullary spinal disease in adults. The ability of Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) to detect intradural extramedullary spinal metastases was studied in pediatric brain tumor patients. Spinal MR images before and after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA were analyzed retrospectively in eight pediatric patients with known intracranial neoplasms and clinically suspected subarachnoid tumor seedings. Contrast enhanced spinal MR was compared with CT myelography in four of these patients. In our pediatric population Gd-DTPA enhanced images revealed tumor seeding not appreciable on noncontrast images. Although CT myelography has been the accepted standard investigation in the evaluation of suspected spinal metastases in children, we found that contrast enhanced MR is equal or superior in sensitivity to CT myelography. Spinal MR also provided information not obtainable via CT myelography. In the future, Gd-DTPA enhanced spinal MR should be considered in the initial evaluation of suspected subarachnoid spinal metastases in pediatric patients with known primary brain tumors.

Adolescent↗