Radiography of the spinal cord and nerve roots after the injection of a contrast medium into the spinal subarachnoid space. [myelo- + G. graphe, a drawing]
* * *
my·e·log·ra·phy .mī-ə-'läg-rə-fē n, pl -phies radiographic visualization of the spinal cord after injection of a contrast medium into the spinal subarachnoid space
* * *
n.
a specialized method of X-ray examination to demonstrate the spinal canal that involves injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into the subarachnoid space. The X-rays obtained are called myelograms. It is of importance in the recognition of tumours of the spinal cord and other conditions compressing the cord or the nerve roots. The former use of oil-based dyes in myelography was an occasional cause of arachnoiditis. This complication is now avoided by the use of water-soluble contrast media. Myelography is now often combined with simultaneous CT scanning.
* * *
my·elog·ra·phy (mi″ə-logґrə-fe) [myelo- + -graphy] radiography of the spinal cord after injection of a contrast medium into the subarachnoid space.Medical dictionary. 2011.