[Metrizamide cervical myelography using Gitroscope VS-10. It's image quality and adverse effects].

Forty consecutive patients suspected of cervical lesions were examined with a Gitroscope VS-10 egtxipt with an image intensifier TV system. Lateral C1-C2 puncture was easily performed during TV fluoroscopy in the lateral view with the patient in a prone position and the neck hyperextended. A needle was inserted into the dorsal third of the spinal canal between the laminae, and when cerebrospinal fluid was obtained, the contrast medium was injected under fluoroscopic control. The table tilt could be adjusted to avoid intracranial flow of the medium. A U-shaped chin and head fixation device was used to fix the head and to provide maximum cervical lordosis. Metrizamide 200-230 mgI/m<I>l</I> in concentration and 5-8 m<I>l</I> in volume was used in most cases. After this procedure all patients were hydrated and kept in bed for 12 hours with the head elevated 10-15 degrees.<BR> Good quality films were obtained except for the initial case. Of many side effects, mild to severe headaches occurred only in 17 %, which was much fewer than in many previous reports.