[Ambulatory radiculography (lumbar myelography) with iohexol]

Iohexol lumbar myelography was performed in 133 consecutive patients remitted to a private radiological institute on an outpatient basis. Adverse reactions were recorded during the first week after myelography. The data were collected through a questionnaire returned by the patients. The results showed that half (48%) of all patients had no side effects. Some more than one third (41%) of all patients had only mild or moderate side effects from the ambulatory myelography. Of all patients 11% experienced headache or other bothersome symptoms for more than three days following myelography. In this material there was no difference in side effects between women and men. About half of the patients was punctured with a 22 gauge spinal needle and the others with a 25 gauge needle. There was no significant difference in side effects related to needle size. Iohexol lumbar myelography can safely be performed without hospitalization of the patient.