Lumbar epidurography with metrizamide.

The results of 65 consecutive lumbar epidurograms obtained with metrizamide are reviewed. A pure Seldinger technique with a caudal approach through the sacral notch and selective nerve root sheath injection affords the best technical results. Lumbar epidurography serves as an important radiographic procedure in the evaluation of patients with equivocal myelography and/or confusing or nondiagnostic physical findings. It is particularly valuable in patients with a wide ventral epidural space secondary to previous surgery, arachnoiditis or congenital condition. This situation occurs most commonly at the L5-S1 disk space.