Lumbar or cisternal administration of contrast medium in myelography of the central canal and parenchyma of the spinal cord

摘要

The spinal cord of 471 dogs and 35 cats was examined using myelography. Distension of the central canal (>1 mm) was detected in 27 animals (5.3%). Dispersion of contrast medium over a wide area of the spinal cord after lumbar administration indicated a severe myelomalacia with a poor prognosis. After cisternal application, contrast medium entered the central canal by back flowing into the ventricle in 4 cases or by iatrogenic puncture in 2 cases. In the latter cases, the medium was also seen in thespinal cord parenchyma. It is suggested that the aetiology of the central canal distension includes congenital or acquired hydromyelia as well as trauma.