MANEUVER FOR CERVICAL MYELOGRAPHY.

Abstract

THE FOLLOWING maneuver is of use to reduce patient discomfort during myelography for obstruction of the cervical spinal canal. The patient is flexed over the head end of the horizontal fluoroscopic table on a soft pad (Fig. 1). A belt or compression band secures the hips to the table top. An ordinary automobile safety belt previously installed at the end of the table is tightened behind the knees, or an assistant may hold the patient's legs against the end of the table. The table is then tilted steeply upward, even to a vertical position for fluoroscopy and filming. The belts should be relaxed before a return to horizontal position. Fluoroscopy is usually limited to the cervical region with this method. It may not be possible on some x-ray machines because of limited excursion of the fluoroscopic screen. This maneuver incidentally facilitates lateral radiography as no metal obstructs the x-ray beam. Summary A new maneuver which reduces patient discomfort in myelography of the cervical region is described.