A myelogram is an x-ray examination performed by a radiologist to enable your doctor to detect abnormalities of the spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures. A myelogram examination assists your doctor in making a diagnosis. The radiologist interprets the information from the procedure and reports it to your doctor, who in turn will discuss the report with you.
A contrast material, a dye that can be seen on an x-ray, is injected into the fluid-filled space around the spinal cord.
The dye is injected into the spinal canal at one of two puncture (or "tap") sites. It flows within the cerebrospinal fluid inside the dura to outline the spinal cord and nerve roots in one or more of the spine's cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (lower back) regions. This outline will appear on an x-ray. The radiologist may use one of two different contrast materials:
* an oil-based liquid that is removed after the x-ray exam
* a water-based liquid that is not removed after the x-ray exam
The procedure before and after the exam will vary slightly depending on the type of contrast material used. Depending on the type of dye used, it may then be removed after the procedure, or left in to be absorbed by the body.
In this gentleman's case, the issue was that the punctures were not healed(perhaps too big a puncture) and that his spinal fluid kept leaking out. That somehow messed up the implant near that puncture site. The reason why he started coming to hospital (before he got the myelogram) was because he felt that his hands' strength was failing. After the myelogram he could barely move and was constantly under pain. I didn't wait to watch how the doctor treated this case.
