[The value of postoperative dimer-X myelography].

After preceding lumbar intervertebral disk operations, 88 Dimer-X myelographies were carried out. The examinations were performed with the patients in a lying position; if required, function pictures were taken in a sitting or standing position. Only in three cases the X-ray findings were unconspicuous. The findings included 12 prolapses at other levels, 6 prolapses, 5 massive scars, one pronounced osteophytosis, two cases of serious reticulitis, two meningoceles and one neurinoma outside the field of operation. The dorsal or lateral narrowing of the contrast band typical of prolapses found in the first dimer-X myelogram were only produced by scars in the renewed operation. The authors warn against pantopaque myelography for lumbar intervertebral disk diagnosis because of proven arachnoidal adhesions. The necessity of surgical procedures avoiding as far as possible tissue damage leaving scars and adhesions is stressed.