Myelography in healthy dogs using ioversol 240 mg I/ml contrast medium: Clinical and radiological results

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the opacification period and diagnostic quality of ioversol 240 mg I/ml in the thoracic and lumbar regions after intracisternally injected, and evaluate its effects on the nervous system by clinical and neurological examinations. Thirty clinically normal non-descript dogs without sex distinction, weighing 9-12 kg were divided into three groups of 10 animals each. All the animals were anaesthetized using diazepam and thiopental sodium. Ioversol was injected at a dose of 0.5ml/kg. Cervical radiographs after 5 minutes to confirm injection of the contrast, and thoracolumbar radiographs after 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes to evaluate the opacification period were taken. Clinical and neurological examinations were performed daily until 7, 14 and 28 days for groups I, II and III respectively. Adverse reactions such as pedal movements, preconvulsive behavior, muscular spasms, apnea, dyspnea, and vomit anxiety were observed during the myelographic procedure only. Ioversol showed good radiopacity, diffusion and miscibility with the cerebrospinal fluid. Reduction of costs also was possible since it can be autoclaved. Opacification period with diagnostic value was of 60 minutes in 60% of thoracic radiographs and in 80% of lumbar radiographs. Ioversol showed low incidence of clinical and neurological alterations. It is concluded that ioversol 240 mg I/ml is appropriate and safe to be used for myelography in dogs.