Incidence of side effects following direct puncture cervical myelography. Bed rest versus normal mobility

After cervical myelography by direct puncture at C 1/2 level, 120 patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, in one the patients were allowed to be fully ambulant and in the other the regimen was bed rest for 24 h. Questionnaires recording the frequency and severity of side effects were completed at intervals after the examination. Headache, nausea and vomiting were common; fits and mental changes occurred also but were uncommon. The incidence and severity of these side effects did not differ significantly between the two groups.