Lumbar myelography with metrizamide in rabbits. An investigation of contrast media penetration and resorption.

Neurotoxicity from subarachnoid contrast media is probably related to their specific pharmacologic effects and to their penetration into the central nervous system. The lack of a barrier between the cerebrospinal fluid and the extracellular fluid of the brain and cord allows water-soluble contrast media to diffuse into the neural tissue. The aim of this investigation was to develop a method that allows one to quantify the neural tissue penetration for a given contrast medium in relation to the cerebrospinal fluid concentration and contact time and apply this to the use of metrizamide. The result shows a good correlation between iodine concentration in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid and that in the lumbar cord suggestive of a simple diffusion. When time of sacrifice (contact time) is added as a covariant there is also some indication of retention of metrizamide in the neural tissue. The investigation also demonstrates that the resorption of the contrast medium in the rabbit in this experimental model is mainly in the lumbo-sacral region.