Technical note: the influence of using an atraumatic needle on the incidence of post-myelography headache.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the incidence of headaches following myelography could be reduced by using a needle with an atraumatic tip. 107 patients were studied in a trial of 22 gauge atraumatic versus 22 gauge bevel tipped needles. In the first 3 days after myelography, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of headaches in patients in whom an atraumatic needle had been used.