[Posture-related arrest of contrast medium in the myelogram]

An increase in intraabdominal pressure leads to the filling of the epidural vein plexus and thereby to an increased epidural pressure and consecutive compression of the dural sac. This has often been demonstrated in myelography as an ascending of the contrast medium. We observed a complete stop of the contrast medium in ascending myelography although neither computed tomography nor magnetic resonance tomography could demonstrate an intraspinal tumour. We suppose, therefore, that this phenomenon is of "functional origin".