[Early diagnosis of staphylococcic infection in epidural space : radiologic contribution (author's transl)].

Infection of the épidural space was demonstrated on clinic (cauda equina compression) and radiology. Three investigations are considered and compared : Dimer X radiculography, lumbar phlebography, duroliopaque myelography. The transfemoral arcending lumbar catheterization of the epidural veins precise the compression by staphylococcic external pachymeningitis. No liquid is introduced in cerebro spinal fluid : there is not risk of infectious arachnoiditis. Myelography with positive contrast (duroliopaque: ethyl monoiodostearate) is much attractive but it is a procedure not easy to perform, even badly tolerated by the patient. For these reasons the lumbar phlebography, easily performed, can be realised in first intention.