Absence status epilepticus resulting from metrizamide and omnipaque myelography

Two cases of absence status are described, one case following metrizamide myelography and the other from omnipaque myelography. Metrizamide has been well known to cause convulsive seizures even in patients without epilepsy. The exact mechanism is not known but appears to be direct neuronal toxic effects possibly due to competitive inhibition of hexokinase activity. The acute confusional state following myelography from water soluble agents is reviewed. In view of the difficulty in clinical diagnosis and the excellent response to anticonvulsant therapy, the possibility of this clinical entity should be specifically excluded by EEG in any person suffering from prolonged confusion following myelography with water soluble agents.