[Lateral suboccipital puncture of the cisterna magna (author's transl)].

Lateral puncture of the cisterna magna cerebellomedullaris offers a more efficient conception of the lateral approach for the use of positive and negative contract medium in myelography and cisternography. The extracranial part of the cisterna magna cerebellomedullaris gives enough space to ensure the definite fixation of the needle without any major risk after puncture through the atlanto-occipital membrane. Positioning of the needles tip is possible without x-Ray control. Injury of the spinal cord is most unlikely to occur.