Total myelography with metrizamide through the lumbar route

Myelography of the entire spinal cord was performed in 64 consecutive patients using metrizamide via lumbar puncture. Adequate to good opacification of the cervical and thoracic subarachnoid space was obtained in 63 patients. The technical factors responsible for this success rate are patient cooperation, high iodine concentration, high iodine concentration (250 mg/ml), slow injection rate, delayed removal of the needle, minimal patient motion, and rapid performance. Side effects were minor and no more frequent than with lumbar metrizamide myelography alone. Adequate hydration before and after and upright position after seem to be important in minimizing adverse effects.