Radiology

Please report to Admitting 1 hour before your

scheduled exam time.

PREP:

Do not eat any solid foods after midnight. You will need to drink large

amounts of fluid to get ready for the exam. This will be done until 1 hour

prior to the procedure. You may start this prior to coming to the hospital

in the morning. Consent form must be signed by you before the study is

done. If you think you are pregnant, please tell

your doctor. This procedure may be harmful to the fetus.

PURPOSE:

A myelogram is an x-ray examination in which dye is injected into the

spinal space to outline the central nervous structures of the lumbar,

thoracic, or cervical area of the spine.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

You will lie face down on the x-ray table. The area where the needle will

be placed will be cleansed and this area will be numbed by a local

anesthetic. This will sting. A needle will be inserted into the spinal

space in your lower back. Contrast will be injected into this spinal

space, and a series of x-rays will be taken. The table will be tilted

upward and downward during the examination and the radiologist will be

taking images of your back. You may have a CT scan following the

myelogram.

POST EXAM

INFORMATION: You will be asked to stay in bed with your head up

for several hours following the exam. You will be asked to drink a large

amount of fluids. The nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse, and

respirations. Please inform your nurse if you experience a headache or any

other discomfort. Your physician will discuss the results of this test

with you.

TIME FRAME:

Approximately 1 hour for the exam.

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