[Experiences with the contrast medium metrizamid in lumbar and thoracolumbar myelographies (author's transl)]

At the orthopaedic clinic in Ratingen we investigated between November 1976 and May 1977 60 patients who were suffering from low back pain by means of myelography in order to verify the type of pathology. As contrast medium we used Metrizamid. All X-rays showed a clear outline of the spinal canal and the roof sheat. In 39 cases out of 60 a prolapsed disk was found. In 9 cases the result was uncertain and the rest was negative. Operation was carried out on 42 patients and the findings in 37 cases were conclusive. No severe side effects were found which were due to the contrast medium.