Lumbar myelography with metrizamide: supplemental techniques.

In a pilot group of 20 sequential patients who underwent metrizamide lumbar myelography, three modifications in technique were compared: (1) a "30" min delayed frontal projection, (2) supine projection of the conus medullaris, and (3) horizontal beam oblique views of the lumbosacral theca. The study showed much better opacification of the lowermost lumbar and the sacral root sleeves by delayed filming in most (70%) of the cases; that the conus medullaris, a structure difficult to visualize by the routine method of prone positioning, could be well visualized routinely with the patient supine; and that larger numbers of lumbar nerve root sleeves could be seen with the same degree of table tilt on horizontal beam oblique than on vertical beam oblique radiography.