[Oily contrast medium in liquor space following myelography. A clinical-radiological study on extent, velocity and ways of elimination of monoiodine stearate].

In 32 patients neurological and radiological studies were done after spinal myelography using 5 ml of monoidostearate. The route and speed of elimination of the contrast medium remaining intrathecally have been observed over 2 years, establishing correlations with the way and conditions of administration. In the case of active lumbar drainage from the puncture channel after lumbar instillation of contrast medium or after lumbar puncture, a quick and sometimes massive extrathecal and extravertebral leakage, reaching 1/3 of the applied contrast medium, has been observed in 80%-90% of the cases during the first days and weeks. During the first year, the mean contrast medium elimination was 50%. In the case of a single cisternal instillation of contrast medium, no leakage was found, the elimination was 0-8-1-0 ml/year. The importance of "lumbar puncture drainage" becomes evident, as well as its activity which lasts up to 19 days. The possible routes of leakage (migration) of the contrast medium are discussed.