Computed Tomography of Spinal Cord After Lumbar Intrathecal Introduction of Metrizamide (Computer-Assisted Myelography)

Computed tomography (CT) of the thoracic and cervical spine was carried out after lumbar intrathecal introduction of a water-soluble radiographic contrast medium (metrizamide). By choice, no head-down position of the patient was used to facilitate craniad movement of the contrast medium; rather, advantage was taken of the normal CSF flow. This technique, referred to as computer-assisted myelography (CAM), permits the demonstration of the metrizamide-containing subarachnoidal spaces surrounding the thoracic and cervical cord. Some examples of the diagnostic possibilities of the method are discussed.