Cervicovertebral phlebography: pathological results

Cervical phlebography via the femoral vein approach was done in patients with spinal tumors, cervical radiculopathies, and myelopathies. Tumors originating from or extending into the spinal canal readily compress and obstruct the epidural venous plexus. Because of the lateral position of the epidural veins, the foraminal veins are deformed when cervical roots are compressed in the intervertebral foramina by spondylosis of the uncinate processes or lateral disk herniation. In congenitally narrow canals without significant spondylotic bars, the epidural veins were not opacified. Nonfilling of veins was also seen when the canal was narrowed by multiple spondylotic bars. With a few or even a single spondylotic bar, the epidural veins opacified but this was interrupted at the affected levels. When a significant spondylotic bar was associated with a narrow canal higher up, filling of the epidural veins at the level of the bar was completely arrested.