An adult of the use of CT myelography (CTM) in the evaluation of spinal lesions at the University Teaching Hospital, Zambia

Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic value of the computer tomographic myelography (CTM) in patients with spine or spinal cord pathology. A retrospective study in 132 cases of CTM with clinical and radiological details in UTH between Jan, 2004 to Nov. 2006. All the cases of CTM were performed on Philips CT Aura scanner, helical scan using 1.5mm to 5mm axial slices depending on spinal segment. Coronal and sagittal reconstructions were performed; soft tissue and bony windows were also displayed. All patients came from inward after keeping the patient in supine position for 4-6 hrs after intrathecal injection of 5-10ml Omnipaque contrast agent. There are 4 cases (4/132, ratio 3%) unsuccessful; the others including normal group (n=25, 20%) traumatic spine fracture (n=16, 12%), tumour (n=24,18%) disc protrusion (n=28, 21%) inflammatory (n=23, 17%) spondylosis and other (n=12, 9%). The CTM still plays an important role in places where the magnetic resonance imaging MRI is not available as in Zambia in diagnosing spinal diseases especially in patients with neurological deficits.