Early and late side effects of water-soluble contrast media for myelography and cisternography: a short review.

Acute and chronic neurotoxicities of the ionic contrast media Conray, Dimer X, Dimer X and a steroid, and a nonionic contrast medium metrizamide (Amipaque) are reviewed. All ionic media induced late arachnoiditis potentiated by intrathecal steroids. Amipaque did not induce late arachnoiditis, but it produced a number of acute side effects. Myelography in patients given a phenothiazine (levomepromazine) was associated with a decreased incidence of side effects compared with a nonmedicated group.