myelogram without ct scan

[psycho-matic]

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Anyone know why a neurosurgeon would order a cervical myelogramc without ct scan, xrays only, for left arm radiculopathy, following a cspine mri that was inconclusive? It is my understandin a ct scan is almost always performed after myleogram. Thanks.

 

[shark2000]

If there is a lot of hardware, MRI is non-diagnostic, so CT myelogram is the choice.There is no point in doing myelogram itself these days.

 

[psycho-matic]

No hardware at all in this case

 

[shark2000]

If no contra-indication for MRI, like pacemaker, MRI is the test to do. Even CT myelogram is not indicated.

 

[psycho-matic]

If no contra-indication for MRI, like pacemaker, MRI is the test to do. Even CT myelogram is not indicated.

As I stated in my first post, MRI did not show anything and doctor feels myelogram might give better view of foramina and the nerve roots going through them. I was just wondering why it might just be done with xray when I read that myelograms are almost always followed by CT scans.

 

[shark2000]

If MRI is normal, CT myelogram is not indicated, period.MRI is very sensitive to show neural foramen, nerve roots, spinal canal, facets, bone marrow signal, spinal cord, thecal sac,... Unless there is a technical problem with study itself.
If MR is normal, I will look for other causes of pain,