American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 133, Issue 4, 715-718
Copyright © 1979 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Myelographic evaluation of nontraumatic spinal canal obstruction: a new approach
HL Levine
and
EJ Olmstead
A new technique simplifies the evaluation of the spinal canal above obstructing lesions encountered during myelography via the lumbar route. After the demonstration of a block with 2--4 ml Pantopaque, a second injection of 2--4 ml Pantopaque is made through the lumbar needle with the patient in 45 degree Trendelenberg (or any degree necessary to keep the initial contast bolus against the inferior margin of the obstruction). In all 10 cases in this series, the second injection easily displaced contrast around and above obstructions that could not be overcome by gravity thereby obviating a lateral cervical or cisternal puncture. No technical failures of complications were encountered. The method is not recommended in cases of traumatic spinal canal obstruction.