iothalamate-meglumine and Fistula

To evaluate the role of computed tomographic abscessograms (CTABs, consisting of injection of contrast medium through a drainage catheter followed by computed tomographic examination) in the management of patients referred for percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD).. Over 50 months, 169 patients with 203 abscesses underwent PAD, and 432 CTABs were performed. CTAB was assessed for its ability to influence treatment decisions, detect fistulae and visualize the septic process.. CTABs allowed the detection of fistulous communications in 32% (65/203) of abscesses. In 60 of the 65 patients with fistulae (92%), the specific etiology of the abscess cavity was established through analysis of CTABs. The presence of a pathologic fistula prolonged the catheter drainage time (20.5 v. 11.9 days, p < 0.0001), and the success rate was lower if the drainage catheter was removed before the fistula was closed (90% v. 72%). CTAB images influenced catheter-manipulation decisions for 23 of the 169 patients (14%).. CTABs provide important information about the underlying pathologic process while allowing detection of fistulae and ultimately influencing interventional treatment for PAD.

Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Algorithms; Catheters, Indwelling; Contrast Media; Drainage; Female; Fistula; Humans; Iothalamate Meglumine; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Either arachnoriditis or dural/arachnoidal tears may cause symptoms in the postoperative spinal patient. Surgery and myelography as causes of arachnoiditis are discussed. Intradural arachnoid cyst formation and intramedullary cavitation may present as unusual sequelae of arachnoiditis. Extra-dural cysts and cerebrospinal fluid fistulas resulting from dural/arachnoidal tears are unusual postoperative complications presenting striking myelographic features. Their mechanisms of formation, clinical significance, and radiographic features are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Arachnoid; Arachnoiditis; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Contrast Media; Cysts; Dura Mater; Fistula; Iothalamate Meglumine; Mesylates; Metrizamide; Myelography; Postoperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Solubility; Spinal Cord Diseases; Steroids; Water

Dimer-X is considered a good contrast medium for lumbar myelography. Its physical properties guarantee a homogeneous mixture with cerebrospinal fluid, with the result that postpunctural fluid leakage is easy to detect. One hundred Dimer-X lumbar myelographies were performed with two different spinal needles, a short beveled needle of 1.2 mm outer diameter and a special beveled "Quincke" needle of 0.7 mm outer diameter. Postpunctural fluid leakage is observed in 32% of the cases with the former and in only 12% with the latter. False-route injections occurred in 5% of the cases. Epidural leakage is the most frequent and can be detected by its "Christmas tree" appearance on antero-posterior X-ray. Subdural leakage is represented by a "railroad track" appearance on a lateral view. The leakage is observed more frequently in patients with normal myelogram (28%) than in patients with a herniated lumbar disc (18%).

Topics: Cerebrospinal Fluid; Fistula; Humans; Iothalamate Meglumine; Lumbar Vertebrae; Myelography; Spinal Puncture