ANIMAL EXPERIMENTAL MYELOGRAPHY IN THE PIG - A COMPARISON BETWEEN IOHEXOL AND IOTROLAN

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors compared the effects of a nonion ic monomeric, iohexol (Omnipaque, 300 mg I/ml), and a nonionic dimeric , iotrolan (Isovist, 300 mg I/ml), contrast medium in the spinal subar achnoid space of the pig. METHODS. Lumbar and lateral C1-C2 punctures were performed in 10 pigs. Ten milliliters iohexol or iotrolan were in jected via the lumbar needle. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram, intra vesical pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure were recorded durin g the injections and at intervals for 4 to 5 hours after the injection s. Blood samples were taken at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 minutes after the injections and analyzed for iodine concentration. RESULTS. N O changes were seen during the injections, and there were no differenc es in the blood pressure, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, electrocardiog raphic recordings, or in the plasma iodine concentrations during the f irst 4 to 5 hours after the injections. Short-lasting, rhythmic bladde r contractions were seen during some injections with both iohexol and iotrolan. CONCLUSION. Both iohexol and iotrolan were well tolerated, a nd there was no significant difference between them.