The exam itself takes
about 1 hour
but you will be asked to check in 1 hour before the exam. You will need to stay in the hospital for 3 hours after the myelogram.
How long do you have to lay flat after a myelogram?
You need to sit or lay down for several hours after the procedure to reduce your risk of developing a CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) leak. Most patients are asked to lie down for
two hours
after the procedure.
How long does it take to recover from a myelogram?
The recovery period is
about 2 hours
. Plan to be in the Department of Radiology for 4-6 hours. Arrange to have someone stay with you for 24 hours following the procedure.
Are you awake during a myelogram?
What is a myelogram like?
You will be awake during the procedure
. You will lie on your stomach. You will be given a numbing injection that may sting for a few seconds.
How painful is a CT myelogram?
Is a CT myelogram painful? Some patients report discomfort during the injection of the dye; others do not.
The CT scan is not painful
.
What can go wrong with a myelogram?
A myelogram may increase your risk for a
headache, neck or back pain, nausea, or vomiting
. You may have bleeding or spinal fluid may leak from the injection site. The procedure may cause injury to a disc, nerves, or your spinal cord. The dye used during the procedure may cause and allergy, seizure, or brain problems.
Why is a myelogram so painful?
Any back pain you already have may be made worse by the extra pressure of the injected fluid. The fluid is absorbed by the body over the few hours after the myelogram, and the extra
pain decreases
when this happens. Sometimes it can be hard to get the needle into the fluid sac and the myelogram cannot be done.
Can you drive after myelogram?
You may continue to take your normal medications including pain medication as long as it doesn’t contain aspirin. You will need to arrange for a driver to take you home, because
you are not allowed to drive after the procedure
.
What does a myelogram feel like?
How does it feel? You will feel
a quick sting
from a small needle that has medicine to numb the skin on your back. You will also feel some pressure as the long, thin spinal needle is put into your spinal canal. You may feel a quick, sharp pain down your buttock or leg when the needle is moved in your spine.
Do you have to be NPO for a myelogram?
Basic Instructions
No solid foods
two hours before exam
. Drink extra fluids (no caffeine) up to 2 hours before exam. 2 hours before exam – NPO (If medications needed, take only with swallow of water.) Please arrive 45 minutes before scheduled myelogram appointment.
Is a myelogram considered surgery?
Because this is an invasive procedure that requires the injection of a contrast material through a needle in your spine, there are some risks, including: Spinal fluid infection (meningitis).
Is a myelogram the same as a spinal tap?
A myelogram is performed first in a separate procedure. This is
similar to a lumbar puncture
, or spinal tap, where the fluid space around the spinal cord (within the spinal canal) is accessed with local anesthesia and contrast (usually 12cc non-ionic iodinated contrast) is administered.
How long does pain last after myelogram?
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 24 hours after the procedure. You may feel soreness at the needle insertion site for
2-3 days
.
What is the most common clinical indication for a myelogram?
As a result, one of the most common indications for CT myelography is
to help evaluate the spinal canal and neural foramina in degenerative disease when
the patient cannot undergo MRI because of an MRI-incompatible implanted device or when MR images would be nondiagnostic because of extensive artifact (1).
Is a CT myelogram better than an MRI?
CT was superior to MRI in only 1 patient
, who had a bony stenosis. Myelography could not separate disk from scar in any case. In conclusion, contrast-enhanced MRI was superior to MRI without contrast, CT before and after contrast, as well as myelography in discriminating disk from scar tissue.
Can a myelogram cause paralysis?
There is a small risk of having an allergic reaction to the dye. You will be given medicine for a reaction. In rare cases, inflammation of the spinal cord, weakness, numbness, paralysis, or loss of control of your bowel or bladder may develop. Also in rare cases, the dye may cause blockage of the spinal canal.
