[Radiodiagnosis of the spinal canal using a nonionic contrast medium].

In 320 cases contrast investigations of the vertebral column were carried out injecting by lumbar tap Metrizamide in 174 cases and Amipaque in 126 cases. In 259 cases the investigation was limited to the lumbar part, in 25 cases to the thoracic part, and in 19 cases to the cervical part of the spine. In 12 cases the whole vertebral canal was explored in this way. In 5 cases only epidurography was done. Very good or good contrast filling of the dural sac was obtained in the thoracolumbar segment using contrast medium 200 mg I/ml. In some cases this degree of concentration was inadequate for good visualization of the cervical segment. Side effects included headaches in 52%, nausea in 15%, vomiting in 4% of cases. In 28% of cases fever up to 38 degrees C was observed on the first day after the procedure. In 8 cases of repeated radiculography no evidence of arachnitis was demonstrated.