MAGNETIC-RESONANCE MYELOGRAPHY (MRM) AS A SPINAL EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE

Purpose: Conventional myelography involves side effects and complicati ons due to puncture of CSF space and injection of contrast medium. On the other hand, MR-myelography (MRM)? is a new noninvasive method requ iring neither puncture nor contrast medium and causing no side effects . The diagnostic value and accuracy of MRM was evaluated in comparison with conventional myelography. Materials and Methods: In this prospec tive comparative study, 41 patients (17 male, 74 female, mean age 42 y ears) with radicular symptoms underwent conventional lumbar myelograph y and were also submitted to MRM. Evaluation was performed in a blind manner by two independent examiners. Results: The specificity and sens itivity of tile methods are identical. MRM shows 35 cases of thecal in dentation with amputation of a nerve root sheath and 6 cases of spinal stenosis. The results of conventional myelography and MRM were surgic ally confirmed in 38 patients. Conclusions: Both methods have the same diagnostic accuracy, but MRM requires neither puncture nor contrast m edium nor x-rays.