[The flexion test in cervical myelography with water soluble contrast media]

The flexion test can supply important data during cervical myelography with water soluble contrast media in patients with cervical lesions. Flexion causes disappearance of false stenoses of the cervical subarachnoid space, related to folds in the yellow ligament and to disc protrusions occurring during extension. Blocking of the column of contrast medium in severe stenoses of the canal is relieved by flexion of the cervical spine. Moreover, flexion and extension tests during myelography often serve to differentiate between hard and soft herniated disks.