Myelography with metrizamide--an analysis of the complications encountered in cervical, thoracic and lumbar myelography.

Detailed analysis of complications in 363 patients undergoing myelography with metrizamide is presented. Patients have been separated into three groups: those who had lumbar myelograms via lumbar puncture; patients who had cervical myelograms via lumbar route and patients who had cervical myelograms via cervical puncture (lateral C1/C2. approach). Analysis has revealed that the incidence of minor complications like headaches, nausea, and vomiting is higher than that associated with myodil myelography. Nevertheless, it is concluded that because of lack of long term disability of arachnoiditis, and because of greater diagnostic accuracy, metrizamide represents the best contrast medium for myelography currently available.