Late meningeal effects of myelographic contrast media with special reference to metrizamide

Abstract
Myelograms (256) in 192 patients were followed by repeat myelography using a water-soluble contrast medium. The films of these re-examinations were analyzed for signs of meningeal changes. Adhesive arachnoiditis developed in 5 of 46 cases after methiodal sodium, in 24 of 96 cases after iothalamate meglumine, in 7 of 12 cases after iocarmate meglumine, in 7 of 10 cases after iodophendylate, but in none of 90 cases after metrizamide. Dose of contrast medium, observation time and protein concentration of the CSF were factors of importance for the development of adhesive arachnoiditis.