metrizamide and Aphasia

Topics: Aphasia; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography

Eight of 67 patients became transiently aphasic after myelography or cisternography with metrizamide. All eight patients had been placed in the left lateral decubitus position for pluridirectional tomography. Immediate EEGs revealed focal left-sided abnormalities in two patients. In one other patient, a computed tomographic scan showed contrast mainly over the left hemisphere. All of the symptoms resolved within 48 hours. In 34 patients who were placed on the right side, no language disturbance was noted. Aphasia after pluridirectional tomography with metrizamide may be due to local irritation of the perisylvian language centers of the dominant hemisphere. The phenomenon is distinct from syndromes of generalized confusion. The complication may be avoided by placing patients in a right lateral decubitus position for pluridirectional tomography.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aphasia; Female; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Posture; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aphasia following metrizamide myelography has been reported infrequently. During a seven-month period, we examined two patients who developed Broca's aphasia, apraxia of speech, oral-buccal-facial apraxia and neurogenic stuttering after intrathecal metrizamide administration. In each case, focal neurologic deficits were accompanied by clinical, electroencephalographic and radiologic signs of generalized neurologic disease. Serial speech and language evaluations initially revealed severe deficits that were largely resolved by the third day post-myelography. Out-patient follow-up examinations demonstrated persistence of mild speech and language abnormalities in each case. Our findings suggest that metrizamide may cause longlasting neurologic dysfunction.

Topics: Aphasia; Aphasia, Broca; Apraxias; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Stuttering

We report a case of aphasia and right hemiplegia, developing after myelography with metrizamide and lasting for an unusually long time. The neurological disorders, manifested 1 h after the examination was completed, were due to accidental passage of contrast medium into the basal cisterns. In the light of analogous case reports in the literature, as well as experimental data concerning the biochemical activity of metrizamide, possible aetiopathogenetic mechanisms responsible for such disturbances are indicated. The authors underline the lack of effective therapeutic measures after the onset of the disorders, and thus the importance of preventing such complications that behave functionally as true ictuses although with no anatomic substratum.

Topics: Aphasia; Hemiplegia; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Time Factors

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aphasia; Central Nervous System Diseases; Electroencephalography; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Female; Humans; Iopamidol; Iothalamic Acid; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Seizures; Time Factors

One hundred patients were questioned after metrizamide myelography about the side effects of the examination. The number and type of side effects were tabulated and correlated with investigated region (e.g., cervical, lumbar) and with use of medication (e.g., analgesics, diuretics). The number of side effects, particularly neuropsychologic, were higher than previously reported. The most common side effects were minor meningeal irritations (headache, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting) and were regarded by the patients as inconsequential. All side effects became apparent during the first 24 hr after myelography and all were transitory. The side effects, being minor, should not limit the use of metrizamide for myelography. However, those caring for patients who have undergone the study should be aware of the possible side effects.

Topics: Adult; Affective Symptoms; Aged; Aphasia; Cognition Disorders; Dizziness; Dysarthria; Female; Hearing; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Nausea; Pain; Sleep Wake Disorders; Time Factors; Vision, Ocular; Vomiting

Two cases of transient motor aphasia after cervical myelography with Metrizamide are described. A possible mechanism is thought to be prolonged contact of contrast with a brain already damaged by a pre-existing vascular abnormality.

Topics: Adult; Aphasia; Aphasia, Broca; Female; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Spinal Nerve Roots

A patient exhibited confusion, dysphasia, and striking asterixis 18 hours after metrizamide myelography. The symptoms lasted for a day and a half. While metrizamide is a useful contrast medium, side effects are not unusual and can, on occasion, be quite severe.

Topics: Adult; Aphasia; Cognition Disorders; Confusion; Electroencephalography; Humans; Metrizamide; Movement Disorders; Myelography

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aphasia; Cognition Disorders; Contrast Media; Female; Humans; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Movement Disorders; Myelography; Nervous System Diseases; Seizures