The Place of Isotope Myelography in the Definition of Spinal Cord Swelling Following Trauma: An Experimental Study

Isotope myelography is suggested as an efficient and suitable investigation for establishing if an absolute spinal block has occurred after spinal cord injury. The technique of using isotope myelography with a portable static detector for point counting along the spinal cord in sheep is described, and the results are compared with those obtained by contrast myelography. Under general anæsthesia six adult sheep were subjected to a reproducible contusion injury to the lower thoracic spinal cord ( Tro ) . Contrast and isotope myelography were used to investigate the development and duration of the spinal cord swelling that followed the trauma.