[Myelographic diagnosis of radiculomeningeal metastases of carcinomas. Apropos of 10 cases].

The authors report ten cases of intra-arachnoid metastases affecting the spinal cord and its roots. These cases illustrate all the myelographic appearances seen: multiple nodular appearances, striated appearance related to thickening of the roots, failure to visualise one or more root sheaths, filling defect of varying regularity preferentially seen in the dural cul-de-sac, but also in the terminal part of the cord associated with varying degrees of block. Myelographic technique is essential of they are to be visualised: water soluble opaque agents and tomography, if possible by complex scanning alone ensure accurate analysis of the roots. This type of involvement raises a pathogenic problem regarding the exact mechanism of such metastases. The prognosis is very poor despite treatment based upon radiotherapy and chemotherapy.