[Verografin epidurography in the diagnosis of spinal and spondylogenic diseases].

In order to elaborate an epidurographic technique, the water-soluble contrast substance (verografin), oil solution of iodine, iodolipol and air were used in experimental studies on animals and in cadavers. The studies demonstrated that oil and gaslike contrast substances penetrate into the vein and create a threat of embolia formation. For epidurography the most acceptable are water-soluble contrast substances. The method of an ascending verografin epidurography was elaborated and used in clinical practice. Some indications and contraindications for epidurography are outlined. A group of 396 patients with osteochondrosis of the lumbar part of the spine was examined. The method allowed a topic diagnosis of the disc hernia not only along the spine, but in the cross-section of the motor segments (median, paramedian and lateral hernias). The studies make it possible to exclude a disc prolapse in a nonhernial form of osteochondrosis. In 32 patients with spinal tumors epidurography permitted to determine the initial growth of the tumor, its size and relation to the dura mater.