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The incidence of headache following various techniques of metrizamide myelography

Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton

The relationship between various technical factors and the incidence of side effects, particularly headache, following metrizamide myelography has been investigated in 203 patients. The higher incidence of side-effects which has been demonstrated in females was of statistical significance, whilst the higher incidence which followed cervical myelography via lateral C1–2 puncture was not. None of the other parameters considered (needle size, weight of iodine injected, or patient's age) had any influence.

The greater frequency of side-effects in women cannot be readily explained, though it may reflect the higher incidence of headaches which is said to occur in females following diagnostic lumbar puncture. The results of this study suggest that metrizamide is no more likely to produce headache than other myelographic contrast agents, or indeed, diagnostic lumbar puncture.

^* Present address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Received for publication February 1, 1980.