Question

What is a myelogram?

How it is completed?

What it is used for?

How to prepare the patient for the test and how to assess and care for the patient after the testing is done.?

Answer 1

• Myelogram is a diagnostic imaging done by a radiologist. It uses contrast dye and x-ray or CT to detect pathology in the spinal cord .
• The examination or procedure may take 2 hours . It may take 2 hour in a post recovery period.

USES - to find

1. Involving bone spine, meninges, nerve root or spinal cord.

2. Infection of spine and veterbra .

3. Injuries to spinal cord and meninges.

4. Inflammation of arachanoid membrane and spinal cord .

PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT - drink extra fluid the day before . No solid food 2 hour before exam.

Take only medications that is needed to be taken before 2 hours. Arrange for a ride after myelogram.

the procedure involves lying face down on a table with lower extremities tied tightly to table.

CARE OF PATIENT POST PROCEDURE- stay in bed for 24hrs after the procedure.

Do not lie flat.

Drink lot of fluids for one day.

If headache nausea vomiting is present after one day call your doctor.

Can resume activities after one day.