Spinal Injury Foundation Patient Resources - Diagnosis - CT-Scan and Myelogram

Spinal Injury Foundation Patient Resources - Diagnosis - CT-Scan and Myelogram

Thanks to Genuine for the link to this site.

A CT-Scan can be used to look for pinched nerves if combined with with a myelogram. A myelogram is an injection of dye in and around the nerve roots followed by an x-ray.

Here's more on the myelogram portion...

What is it?
A myelogram is a specialized x-ray of the spine used to determine the cause of pain or numbness in the back, neck, arms, or legs. Using a radiopaque dye (one that shows up on x-rays), several segments of the spine can be studied.

How is it done?
The dye is injected into the spinal canal at one of two puncture (or "tap") sites. It flows within the cerebrospinal fluid inside the dura to outline the spinal cord and nerve roots in one or more of the spine's cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (lower back) regions. This outline will appear on an x-ray.


What does it show?
The normal myelogram shows a clear outline of the spinal cord and nerve roots. The absence of dye in a specific area, known as a filling defect, can indicate that the spinal cord or nerve root is being pinched, or compressed. Nerve root compression usually is caused by a herniated disc or a rough protrusion of bone, called a bone spur. Occasionally a filling defect may be caused by scar tissue, a tumor, or a cyst.

If a small piece of disc has broken off and presses on the nerve further away from its root between the vertebrae, it may not be detected on a myelogram. Another specialized x-ray, the CT scan, may then be necessary for proper diagnosis.

I had plenty of CT scans and a myleogram prior to surgery for the spondylolisthesis, while a spinal tap sounds painful it is actually not that bad. The sensation is more of a lot of pressure but not pain. The myleogram I would have to say was the coolest thing to have done as they did not sedate me and I was able to watch the procedure on the closed circuit xray machine.

While it was a cool thing to watch I did not know at that time that myleograms are a cause of arachnoiditis. I would have still had the procedure done as the chances of developing arachnoiditis are low and I thought the benefits of the surgery far outweighed the risks. Obviously I was mistaken...