Question 1

i am scheduled to have a ct-myelogram w/contrast. i had a reaction to the contrast material previously. i had a prior reaction. i have a charite artificial disc in my lumbar spine. i have a spinal fusion above and below the disc. l3-l4 are fused with the

Accepted Answer

"Contrast" : "contrast" is a preparation that is used in medical imaging to increase the visual difference between similar or adjacent tissues.  Contrast can be as simple as frothy salt solution, which is useful in some ultrasound studies, or much more complex, such as the gadolinium-containing molecules used for contrast in MRI studies.

Ct contrast contains iodine, an element whose properties block x-rays that are used in the ct scanner.  Common benign responses to iodine-containing contrast includes flushing (a pretty noticeable sense of warmth) and a metallic taste in the mouth.  More profound responses include itching, hives, and swelling in the throat.  These are called "anaphylactoid" reactions.  The risk of anaphylactoid reactions can be reduced with medications like Diphenhydramine and corticosteroids.  These sorts of reactions are common enough that radiologists and radiology technicians can spot them quickly, and all ct scanning suites are equipped to deal with them.

Seafood and topical iodine allergies are not predictors of who will develop an anaphylactoid reaction to ct contrast (although this is a widely-held erroneous belief).

Another response to ct contrast is kidney injury.  The risk of kidney injury might be reduced by things including avoiding certain medications and keeping well-hydrated prior to the procedure.

Concerns regarding reactions to ct contrast are valid, and should be addressed with the physician who orders the test as well as the physician who is responsible for performing the test.

Question 2

what to do if i have a ct myelogram?

Accepted Answer

Ct myelo: I'm not quite sure what the question is asking.  Can you be more specific?

Question 3

how should i prepare for the ct myelogram?

Accepted Answer

CT myelogram: It depends it you will be awake during the procedure or if any anesthesia will be used. Usually, there is not any specific preparation that i can think of. I have had such a procedure performed on me, it was not a big deal. I had to lie on a table and local anesthesia or numbing medication was used. It was not painful. Try not to worry and good luck.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: ct myelogram?

Accepted Answer

An archaic study: Ct myelograms have not been used at my main hospital for years, as usually supplanted by MRI studies.  The resolution of a dye injected into the spinal canal, with images taken by ct do not really compare with the MRI pictures, and if the latter is employed, there is no need for spinal tap, irritation from the dye or post-lp headaches.

Question 5

i hurt my back 1 year ago 4 months ago had a ct/myelogram done shows lat herniation at l5 what can happen if left to long untreated pain is bad now ?

Accepted Answer

Might get better: Some do resolve with time 
please discuss with your doctor.

Question 6

they found 2u/l rbc in the spinal fluid during my ct myelogram. does this mean anything?

Accepted Answer

: The first test tubes of cerebrospinal fluid often contains RBCs due to some trauma from the spinal tap. If there's no yellowish discoloration of the fluid and tubes # 2 &amp; #3 show much less or no RBCs on microscopic exam, we conclude that the RBCs were only the result of the trauma from the LP &amp; not from pathology. The interventionist &amp; neurologist can better advise you,however.

Question 7

how is a ct cisternogram done? i'm having done with a full spine ct myelogram

Accepted Answer

It is a CT myelogram: except that you are tilted feet up/head down so that gravity allows the contrast to get into the brain cisterns from the spinal thecal sac.  The injection is the same.  So, it is a CT myelogram with the addition of an extra manuever and an extra scan.

Question 8

30 y/o healthy male.  over the past ten years i have had several ct scans: 3 of my head as well as a ct myelogram.  is my cancer risk much higher?

Accepted Answer

No: A person's cancer risk is not much higher before or after several CT scans. An individual person's tiny increase in cancer risk is not measurable. Of course, a person should only get x-ray studies if medically needed... to keep one's lifetime radiation exposure lower.

Question 9

what can be seen on myelogram that you can't see on mri?  i have 6 herniated disk shown on mri, but neurosurgeon wants ct myelogram.

Accepted Answer

There are a variety: Of reasons: your symptoms may not match the MRI findings, not all the disc herniations may be of the same significance and this may provide additional information to clarify the surgeon's diagnosis, there may be a component spinal stenosis which is best demonstrated by a ct/ myleogram to name just a few.  You should discuss this with your neurosurgeon as to the reason or reasons.

Question 10

if my spine is not aligned right while i am having a ct/myelogram could i get a wrong diagnosis like a l5 lateral herniation or the same on an mri?

Accepted Answer

No.: Radiologists and spine specialists can read these studies with good accuracy even if the spine is slightly rotated. If the study was not satisfactory it would be noted on the report.

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Doctor answers about:

Ct myelogram vs ct with contrast

A member asked:

I am scheduled to have a ct-myelogram w/contrast. i had a reaction to the contrast material previously. i had a prior reaction. i have a charite artificial disc in my lumbar spine. i have a spinal fusion above and below the disc. l3-l4 are fused with the

A member asked:

What to do if i have a ct myelogram?

A member asked:

How should i prepare for the ct myelogram?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: ct myelogram?

A member asked:

I hurt my back 1 year ago 4 months ago had a ct/myelogram done shows lat herniation at l5 what can happen if left to long untreated pain is bad now ?

A member asked:

They found 2u/l rbc in the spinal fluid during my ct myelogram. does this mean anything?

A member asked:

How is a ct cisternogram done? i'm having done with a full spine ct myelogram

A member asked:

30 y/o healthy male. over the past ten years i have had several ct scans: 3 of my head as well as a ct myelogram. is my cancer risk much higher?

A member asked:

What can be seen on myelogram that you can't see on mri? i have 6 herniated disk shown on mri, but neurosurgeon wants ct myelogram.

A member asked:

If my spine is not aligned right while i am having a ct/myelogram could i get a wrong diagnosis like a l5 lateral herniation or the same on an mri?

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