[Complications following myelography with positive contrast media (Pantopaque, Amipaque). Pathomorphologic findings in 2 fatal cases].

It is reported on three patients which suffered from severe side effects after cervical myelography using Amipaque (cases 1 and 3) and Pantopaque (case 2). In 2 cases death occurred after 13 days (case 2) respectively 17 days (case 3). Worsening of the clinical symptoms appeared in all cases within four days after myelography. In the first 2 cases inflammatory alterations prevailed whereas in the third case complications probably based on mechanical irritations of nerval and vascular structures. In the 2 lethal cases autopsy offered a prostatic cancer with vertebral and intraspinal metastases respectively syringobulbia and cervical syringomyelia beside an ependymoma of the cervical spinal cord as incurrable complaints. The various side effects and complications after myelography using positive contrast media as well as their causes are discussed.