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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