metrizamide and Spasm

Intractable lower extremity spasms after spinal cord injury is a significant source of morbidity. A case of refractory spasticity in paraplegia was successfully converted to flaccid paraplegia by intrathecal injection of phenol and glycerin in metrizamide. This chemical rhizolysis is simple and effective, and the presence of metrizamide allows both fluoroscopic guidance for accurate intrathecal phenol placement and good miscibility with cerebrospinal fluid. A brief comparative review of alternative therapeutic modalities is presented.

Topics: Adult; Glycerol; Humans; Leg; Male; Metrizamide; Paraplegia; Phenol; Phenols; Spasm

Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System; Contrast Media; Female; Injections; Iodobenzoates; Iophendylate; Iothalamate Meglumine; Iothalamic Acid; Male; Metrizamide; Occipital Lobe; Rats; Spasm; Subarachnoid Space; Time Factors