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Thoracic radiculopathy caused by a myodil cyst
M O Fitzpatrick1, K Goyal, R A Johnston
1Department of Neurosurgery, Southern General Hospital NHS Trust, Glasgow, UK.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|October 25, 2000
Summary
A rare myodil cyst, a complication from a past myelogram, caused thoracic radiculopathy 30 years later. This case highlights that delayed complications from myelography can still occur long after the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Myelography, a diagnostic imaging technique, historically used iodinated contrast agents like Myodil.
- Delayed complications from contrast media, though rare, can manifest years after the initial procedure.
Observation:
- A patient presented with thoracic radiculopathy, a neurological condition affecting nerve roots in the chest.
- Imaging revealed a cyst compressing the thoracic spinal cord, identified as a Myodil cyst.
Findings:
- The Myodil cyst was directly linked to a myelogram performed three decades prior.
- This finding underscores the long-term potential for sequelae from iodinated contrast agents used in myelography.
Implications:
- This case emphasizes the importance of considering delayed complications from past myelograms, even many years later.
- While Myodil is obsolete, awareness of such long-term sequelae is crucial for diagnosing and managing similar rare neurological presentations.