[Clinical and electroencephalographic signs of side effects in patients after myelography using "amipaque"]

The authors present the results of own investigations on the occurrence of side effects following myelography with the contrast medium Amipaque administered usually by the lumbar route. Sixty patients aged 21-65 years with various diseases of the spinal cord and cauda equina were studied. Clinical and myelographic investigations were performed before and after myelography. In 6 out of 60 cases (10%) transient neurological disturbances developed including epileptic seizures, speech disturbances of the type of aphasia and dysartria, visual disturbances and twitching of lower extremities. Other symptoms and signs included: headaches, vomiting, collapse. One patient with cardiorespiratory failure died hours after myelography with evidence of increased symptoms of cardiorespiratory failure. EEG changes appeared after myelography in 2/3 of cases and persisted for up to 12 days. The authors call attention to the high proportion of neurological complications and EEG changes which must be taken into account when indications to myelography are considered. Particular caution is necessary in cases with coexistent cardiorespiratory failure.