Myelography (Myelogram)
Reviewed
Also called: Cervical myelography, Lumbar myelography
Myelography, also called a myelogram, is an imaging test that checks for problems in your spinal canal.
Specimen: not applicable
Why this test may be ordered
- To look for conditions affecting the nerves, blood vessels, and structures in the spinal canal, such as herniated disk, spinal stenosis, tumors, infections, or arachnoiditis.
- If you have new pain or weakness in your back after a recent surgery.
- If you have symptoms of a spinal disorder, including back, neck, or leg pain, tingling, weakness, trouble walking, or trouble with small muscle tasks.
Preparation and collection
Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. Tell your provider about any medicines you are taking. Certain medicines should not be taken before your test. These include aspirin and blood thinners. Your provider will let you know how long you need to avoid these medicines. Don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
You will be injected with numbing medicine so that you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Once the area is numb, your provider will use a thin needle to inject contrast dye into your spinal canal. The procedure usually takes about an hour. After the test, you may be monitored for one to two hours and will need someone to take you home.
You should not have this test if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. There is a small risk of an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Tell your provider if you have any allergies, especially to shellfish or iodine, or if you've ever had a reaction to contrast material. Serious reactions are rare but may include seizures, infection, and a blockage in the spinal canal. Contact your provider right away if you have any of the following: a headache that doesn't go away in 24 hours, fever, a stiff neck, tingling or numbness in your legs, trouble going to the bathroom.
Understanding results
To understand the results of myelography, your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests.
- Normal: A normal result means your spinal canal and structures were normal in size, position, and shape. Limitation: To understand the results of myelography, your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests. Next step: Your provider may want to do more tests to find out what is causing your symptoms.
- Not normal: If your results were not normal, it may mean you have one of the following conditions: herniated disk, spinal stenosis, tumor, nerve injury, bone spurs, arachnoiditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord). Limitation: To understand the results of myelography, your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- Myelography is an imaging test, not a laboratory test or diagnostic screening.
- Results must be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your symptoms, medical history, and other tests.
- There is a small risk of allergic reaction to contrast dye; serious reactions are rare.
- Radiation exposure is low but should be discussed with your provider if you have had many x-rays.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- What specific symptoms or conditions led to recommending this test?
- What are the possible results and what would they mean for my health?
- Are there any alternatives to this test, such as an MRI?
- How should I prepare, especially regarding my current medicines?
- What should I do after the test and when will I get the results?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.