[Pneumography of the membranous spaces in the spinal cord]

The author describes one-stage investigation of the epidural and preneural spaces at the lumbar level using gas and a needle for lumbar puncture with a longitudinal side hole at the working end with subsequent roentgenography (pneumospondylography). Altogether 140 patients with lumbar vertebral osteochondrosis with neurological disorders were examined. Pneumospondylography gives 3 levels of contrast and ensures information on the sizes of the epidural and arachnoidal spaces, function of the invertebral holes and paravertebral tissues. The phenomenon of differentiation of the dural sac wall helps to diagnose in more detail the posterior protrusions of the intervertebral disks with concomitant epiduritis, pachymeningitis, arachnoiditis by the length and diameter of the vertebral canal.