Side effects after diagnostic lumbar puncture and lumbar iohexol myelography

Summary A prospective, controlled study was performed to compare side effect incidences after lumbar iohexol myelography (n=97) and diagnostic lumbar puncture (n=85). No significant side effect incidence differences (iohexol vs. controls) were found regarding number of patients with any side effect (63 vs. 73%), headache (44 vs. 54%), nausea, dizziness, visual, auditory, or psychic symptoms. Early-onset headache occurred significantly more often in the iohexol group (17 vs 5%), while postural headache occurred most frequently after lumbar puncture (25 vs. 41%). These results suggest that apart from the slight early-onset headache, most side effects after lumbar iohexol myelography are related to the puncture per se, not to the contrast agent.     

Ambulatory myelography using iohexol (Omnipaque): methods and results

Outpatient myelography with iohexol (Omnipaque) was performed in 150 patients. Side effects were noted in 28 patients (19%), with only 3 (2%) major complaints. It concerned 2 patients with severe and prolonged headache and one patient with seizures. Side effects were not more frequent in outpatient myelography than in reported series of hospitalized patients. The frequency of side effects was significantly lower with the use of iohexol than in comparable studies with metrizamide. Headache was the most frequent side effect, followed by an increase or exacerbation of ischiatiform pain, nausea and vomiting. Side effects were slightly more frequent in cervical myelography than in lumbar myelography and were not related to underlying pathology. It is concluded that outpatient myelography is feasable for as far as iohexol is used and patient surveillance is carefully organized.     

Use of a 22-gauge Whitacre needle to reduce the incidence of side effects after lumbar myelography: a prospective randomised study comparing Whitacre and Quincke spinal needles

In a prospective study lumbar iohexol myelography was performed in 107 consecutive patients, randomised for lumbar puncture with a Quincke or Whitacre spinal needle. All patients answered a questionnaire about possible side effects. Data from 100 patients (58 men, 42 women) were evaluated. In the Quincke group (n = 53), 23 (43 %) reported no side effects. In the 30 patients who reported various side effects, post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) occurred in 22 (42 %), of whom 9 had mild, 6 moderate and 7 (13 %) severe cephalalgia, 18 (34 %) reported increased low back pain/sciatica, 5 nausea and 7 dizziness. In the Whitacre group (n = 47), 33 (70 %) had no side effects. PDPH was reported by 9 patients (19 %), of whom 2 had mild, 6 moderate and only 1 (2 %) severe cephalalgia, 4 (9 %) reported increased low back pain/sciatica, 5 nausea and 4 dizziness. The conclusion drawn from this study is that lumbar myelography performed with the Whitacre spinal needle reduces postspinal side effects.     

Clinical trial of iohexol for lumbar myelography

Iohexol containing 180 mg I/ml was used in 80 patients for myelography by lumbar injection. By using an adequate volume, between 10 and 20 ml, satisfactory films were obtained in all cases. Minor adverse effects occurred in 12 patients (15%) and were more frequent in women than men; they were headache (5), nausea (3), vomiting (2), back or limb pain (5), and skin rash (1) and were of minor degree in 10 cases, moderate in the other two and lasted more than 24 h in only one case. There was no change in vital signs or neurological examination related to the studies. No patient suffered difficulty with concentration, personality change or seizures. Electroencephalograms performed on 21 patients before and during the 24 h after iohexol showed no seizure or focal activity or any significant change. Repeat lumbar punctures were performed on ten patients during the 24 h following myelography. One of these, a patient with symptoms due to disc prolapse, whose CSF was abnormal prior to the myelogram, showed a slightly increased cellular response. There was no significant change in any other case. Iohexol is a very satisfactory contrast medium for myelography and compares favourably with other non-ionic contrast media.     

Side effects after ambulatory lumbar iohexol myelography

Summary Side effect incidences after ambulatory (22G needle and two h bed rest) and after non-ambulatory (22 and 20G needles and 20 h bed rest) lumbar iohexol myelography have been estimated and compared. Headache incidence was significantly greater in ambulatory (50%, n=107) as compared to non-ambulatory myelography (26%, n=58). Headaches in the ambulatory group tended to be of shorter duration and the difference between severe headaches in ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups was not significant. Serious adverse reactions did not occur and none of the ambulatory patients required readmission because of side effects. The headache was predominantly postural and occurred significantly earlier in the ambulatory group. Headache incidence was significantly greater after 20G needle myelography (44%, n=97) as compared to 22G needle iohexol myelography (26%, n=58). The results supports the hypothesis that CSF leakage is a major cause of headache after lumbar iohexol myelography.     

Cervical myelography with iohexol

An open, non comparative study of cervical myelography in 68 adult patients using iohexol (Omnipaque) containing 300 mg I/ml is reported. Satisfactory visualisation was achieved in all cases. Minor adverse effects occurred in 13 patients (19%); they were headache (8), neck or back pain (3), vomiting (3), nausea (1), dizziness (1) and nystagmus (1) and were of minor degree in most and moderate in a few, lasting more than 24 hours in only one patient. EEG performed in 39 patients before and 24 h after the myelogram showed no seizure activity or significant change. Iohexol is a very satisfactory drug for all types of myelography.     

Lumbar myelography with iohexol. Adverse effects compared with spinal puncture

Since 1983 iohexol has been routinely used for myelography in our hospital and 1,650 myelographies have been performed. The first 331 patients with lumbar myelography were included in a follow-up study. Headache was observed in 26 per cent, nausea in 12 per cent and vertigo in 6 per cent of the patients, a frequency very similar to that observed in an earlier study of side effects following spinal puncture. Severe reactions were not seen. Three patients had radicular symptoms and 3 patients had minor mental symptoms possibly caused by the contrast medium. It is concluded that most side effects are related to the spinal puncture and that iohexol probably can be used with safety in out-patients.     

Lumbar myelography with iohexol in outpatients: prospective multicenter evaluation of safety

A multicenter open, noncomparative evaluation of the safety of iohexol was prospectively conducted in 81 adult outpatients undergoing screen-film lumbar myelography. Iohexol (180 milligrams of iodine per milliliter) was administered via a lumbar route at a dose of 8-17 mL. Computed tomography (CT) was performed after myelography. The safety of iohexol was assessed by monitoring adverse reactions and neurologic status and by measuring vital signs and serum laboratory values. The most frequent adverse reaction was headache (16 of 81 patients [19.7%]). Twelve patients complained of a headache on the day of the myelographic procedure, and four patients reported a headache 24 hours after the procedure. Nausea or vomiting occurred in four of 81 patients (4.9%) only on the day myelography was performed. No other neurologic abnormalities were found. Iohexol produced myelographic and CT studies of good to excellent quality in all patients. This study indicates that iohexol can be employed safely in lumbar myelography of adult outpatients.     

Clinical experience with iopamidol for myelography

Within 20 months 145 ascending thoracocervical myelographies and 155 lumbar myelographies with the nonionic water-soluble contrast medium iopamidol were performed. The iodine concentration given was 250 mg I/ml or 200 mg I/ml respectively. The total iodine never exceeded 2.5 g (8-10 ml). Image quality was assessed in terms of diagnostic value having experience of more than 1,000 myelographies using metrizamide. Picture quality was similar to metrizamide of equal iodine concentration. In 35 patients electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after myelography with iopamidol 250. No changes that could be referred to the contrast medium were seen. There were no adverse reactions to lumbar myelography other than those following the lumbar puncture. In thoracocervical myelography mild and transient side effects occurred in 41 (28.3%). The most common were headache (41 cases), nausea (12), radicular pain (10), and dizziness (five). General seizures and psychopathologic symptoms were not observed.     

Iohexol compared to metrizamide in cervical and thoracic myelography

Summary A randomized double blind study with iohexol (Omnipaque) and metrizamide (Amipaque) in cervical myelography was performed in 50 patients, 29 with iohexol and 21 with metrizamide. The myelographies were performed either with lumbar or with C₁–C₂ puncture in about equal groups, using 300 mg I/ml and 240 mg I/ml of the contrast media respectively. The image quality was equal with both contrast media, excellent in about 4/5 and good in 1/5 of the examinations. Subjective side effects were twice as frequent with metrizamide as with iohexol. The most frequent side effect was headache, occurring in 34% with iohexol and in 67% with metrizamide. Altogether 24% or the patients had EEG changes after iohexol as compared to 47% after metrizamide. All EEG changes were slight dysrythmia-except in three patients with spike activity after metrizamide. These were the only ones with mental reactions as well. It can be concluded that in this trial iohexol was better suited for cervical myelography than metrizamide.     

High-dose iohexol myelography

Lumbar myelography was performed with high volumes of iohexol (15-24 ml) at a concentration of 180 mgI/ml (average dose, 20 ml) in 48 patients. In 44 patients receiving more than the currently recommended upper dose limit of 17 ml, the frequency of headache (41%), nausea (14%), and vomiting (9%) was comparable to results for routine-dose lumbar metrizamide myelography. Overall, adverse reactions were more frequent, particularly at the highest dose levels, than reported for conventional-dose iohexol myelography. However, there were no occurrences of neuropsychiatric disorder, encephalopathy, or seizure. High-dose technique allows superior visualization of upper lumbar and conus detail and may be advantageous in patients with large subarachnoid spaces and in multi-level examinations. This study supports the results of previous trials that suggested the relative safety of iohexol as a contrast agent and extends those observations to a higher dose range. Because of the increased rate of adverse reactions at the highest dose levels (despite the absence of major adverse reactions), iohexol should continue to be used conservatively, with doses carefully tailored to each examination.     

Central nervous system reactions to cervical myelography

In a double blind prospective study of side effects to cervical myelography 38 patients were evaluated with neurologic examination, electroencephalography (EEG), brainstem evoked response (BER), somatosensory evoked responses (SSER), and continuous reaction times prior to and at 6 h and 24 h after myelography with either metrizamide or iohexol. A difference in the incidence of side effects (for example headache, dizziness, nausea, and neck pain) to the two different contrast media indicated that the inconveniences related to myelography were not only due to the spinal puncture. A contrast medium effect on the central nervous system varying from one agent to another was present. A high frequency of EEG deteriorations among patients with adverse clinical reactions and on only discrete affection upon BER indicated the reaction to be located to the cerebral cortex. Weakened tendon reflexes and reduced strength in the upper extremities were probably caused by blockade in the motor roots as SSER were normal indicating no affection of the sensory pathways. This hypothesis is in agreement with the fact that the patients were in the prone position in the first phase of the investigation causing the highest concentration of contrast medium around the motor roots and the anterior part of the spinal cord. Difference in metabolic effect may explain differences in side effects of metrizamide and iohexol.     

Lumbar myelography with iohexol and metrizamide: a comparative multicenter prospective study

Diagnostic quality of radiographs and adverse reactions associated with the use of metrizamide and iohexol as contrast agents in lumbar myelography were compared in a prospective randomized double blind study in 350 patients at seven centers. The contrast media were administered in comparable volumes at a concentration of 180 mg I per ml. Overall quality of radiographic visualization was graded good or excellent in 95% of 175 metrizamide studies and in 98% of 175 iohexol studies. Ninety-three patients examined using metrizamide (53%) and 130 patients examined using iohexol (74%) experienced no discomfort during or after myelography. Postmyelographic headache was associated with 38% of metrizamide examinations and 21% of iohexol examinations. Nausea and vomiting were also more common with metrizamide. Five patients examined using metrizamide (3%) experienced transient confusion and disorientation following lumbar myelography. No such reactions were observed following iohexol myelography.     

Iohexol and metrizamide in lumbar myelography. Comparison of side effects

In routine lumbar myelography carried out in 100 patients iohexol (n = 50) produced side effects in fewer patients (p less than 0.03), especially meningeal and cerebral (p less than 0.03), and among these a lower rate of headache (p less than 0.07), than did metrizamide. The overall frequency of afflicted patients (50% after iohexol and 72% after metrizamide) was high, mainly because of deliberate inclusion of patients with a high risk of side effects in the investigation. The side effects recorded up to six hours after the administration of the contrast medium were less frequent when using iohexol. If severe side effects are present at 24 hours or appear thereafter, as occurred in a few of the present patients after iohexol, surgical treatment or discharge of the patient is in some cases unnecessarily delayed.     

Sex and age related differences in postmyelographic adverse reactions

Summary Differences in frequency of postmyelographic adverse reactions were analyzed with respect to sex and age in a prospective study including 1026 patients injected with metrizamide and 739 injected with iohexol. Regardless of the type of contrast medium or myelography, all types of adverse reactions were 1.4–3.8 times as frequent in women as in men. Most of the differences were statistically significant. Headache was more frequent, while vomiting and dizziness were less frequent in both women and men aged 26–50 years compared with those over 50 years of age. Dizziness and increased low back pain were consistently reported spontaneously by the patients less frequently than emerged via formal interview. The large differences between the sexes suggest that further research on contrast media toxicity would be best performed with separation of the data by gender.     

Positioning of patients after metrizamide lumbar myelography

This prospective study of 90 patients after lumbar metrizamide myelography indicates that the semiupright position at 45 degrees in bed or early ambulation reduces postprocedure vomiting but does not reduce the frequency of headache. Ambulatory patients have less frequent nausea than patients kept in bed.     

Myelography with iohexol (Omnipaque): review of 300 cases

The side effects of iohexol were evaluated in the 300 patients who had nonemergency myelography over a 9 month period. No patients studied with myelography were excluded from the iohexol trial. Age range was 14-86 years. Introduction was by lumbar puncture in 206 patients and by lateral C1-C2 injection in 94. Side effects, including discomfort, were denied by 81.3% of the patients. The other 18.7% had adverse reactions, the most common being headache, reported by 11% of the total population studied. Image quality was judged unsatisfactory in 8.1% of cervical myelograms and in 2.6% of lumbar myelograms. With lumbar injection, cervical myelograms were judged to be inadequate in 13.5%; with cervical injection, lumbar myelograms were inadequate in 25%. Iohexol caused significantly fewer side effects in the 300 patients than would have been expected with metrizamide. The low cost and ease of use are additional factors that favor iohexol as the contrast agent of choice for myelography.     

Outpatient lumbar radiculography: comparison of iopamidol and iohexol and a literature review

A prospective study of 261 patients undergoing lumbar radiculography using 12 ml iopamidol (200 mgI/ml) was undertaken to determine whether the procedure could be performed safely on an outpatient basis. No statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of side-effects were found between the 132 outpatients and 129 inpatient controls. Nine outpatients had to be kept in hospital at the end of a 4-h observation period and a further two outpatients were re-admitted to hospital because of severe side-effects. The current study was compared with a preceding study of identical design, already published, in which 200 patients underwent lumbar radiculography with 10 ml iohexol (240 mgI/ml). No statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of side-effects between the two contrast media were evident up to 24 h after the examination. In the period between 24 h and 7 days, the incidence and severity of headache, nausea and dizziness were all significantly greater in the iopamidol group. Although outpatient radiculography can be performed safely with both contrast media, the higher incidence of delayed side-effects in the iopamidol patients prompts the authors to express a preference for iohexol for intrathecal use. The increased incidence of adverse reactions in female patients and the literature comparing iopamidol and iohexol for myelography are discussed.     

Myelography with a dimeric (iodixanol) and a monomeric (iohexol) contrast medium: a clinical multicentre comparative study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the radiographic efficacy and safety of iodixanol (Visipaque; 270 and 320 mg I/ml) and iohexol (Omnipaque; 300 mg I/ml) in myelography. The study was randomized, double-blind and comparative including 398 patients from five European university clinics. The radiographic visualisation was evaluated as poor, good or excellent. Adverse events were recorded by interviewing the patients after the myelography, and each patient was given a questionnaire to be returned after 1 week. In cervical myelography with cervical puncture more films with excellent quality was obtained after iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.009). Also in lumbar myelography iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared favourably with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.006). The most frequent adverse event was headache, which occurred in 5–35 % of patients during the first 24 h and in 19–61 % within the first 7 days, depending on the centre. There was no difference in frequency and severity of the adverse effects between the contrast media. Received 13 March 1997; Revision received 29 December 1997; Accepted 5 January 1997     

Which factors affect reported headache incidences after lumbar myelography?

Summary Nineteen publications were reviewed and subjected to a combined statistical analysis (meta-analysis) regarding the influence of study design factors upon reported headache and total symptom incidences after lumbar iohexol myelography. A significant association was found between reported side effects on one hand and needle diameter, follow up time and the method of questioning respectively on the other. The combination of long follow-up time and specific questioning and the combination between larger diameter (20G) needles and long follow-up time, both seemed to be strong predictors for reporting high side effect incidences. Nine studies were similarly analyzed regarding the influence of early ambulation and contrast type upon reported headache incidences. Early ambulation significantly increased headache after iohexol or iopamidol lumbar myelography as opposed to metrizamide myelography.