The value of computed tomographic metrizamide myelography in the neuroradiological evaluation of the spine

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.146.1.6849071· OSTI ID:5684773

Dublin, A B; McGahan, J P; Reid, M H

The diagnostic value of plain film metrizamide myelopgraphy (PFMM) was compared with computed tomographic metrizamide myelography (CTMM) in a study of 106 individuals who had undergone high-resolution computed tomographic scanning of the spine. CTMM provided more significant information than PFMM in 42 of 106 cases (40%), but showed no advantage over PFMM in 63 of 106 cases (59%). In 19 of the 42 cases (45%), PFMM was useful in directing the CT analysis to the appropriate region of pathology. In one patient, PFMM revealed a mobile herniated disc that had not been visualized with CTMM. In 30 of 106 cases in which plain CT scans of the spine were also obtained, the addition of intrathecal metrizamide demonstrated additional pathology in ten individuals. In general, CTMM was useful in the delineation of a variety of pathologic entities, especially neoplasms and congenital abnormalities. Low-dose CTMM (3 ml of a 150 ml/mg concentration) was performed as an outpatient procedure and found to be a useful adjunct to plain CT in two patients. A schema for the radiological evaluation of pathology of the spine is presented.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento
• OSTI ID: 5684773
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC USES
VERTEBRAE
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
METRIZAMIDE
PATIENTS
AMIDES
BODY
CONTRAST MEDIA
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RADIOLOGY
SKELETON
TOMOGRAPHY
USES
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)