RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reduction of the gastrointestinal side effects of metrizamide myelography with oral dexamethasone.
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 179
OP 185
VO 9
IS 1
A1 W R Smoker
A1 T R Lehmann
A1 W L Hingtgen
A1 K F Spratt
A1 L R Gentry
A1 J N Weinstein
YR 1988
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/9/1/179.abstract
AB A prospective, double-blind study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of oral dexamethasone premedication in reducing a variety of side effects associated with metrizamide myelography. We also examined the relationship between side effects and needle size, total metrizamide dose, radiographic findings, and personality. Patients were randomly assigned to either a placebo group (44 patients) or a dexamethasone group (38 patients). All patients completed a 24-item symptom checklist before and 24 hr after lumbar myelography. In addition, all patients completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory prior to myelography. Analysis of variance demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of gastrointestinal side effects (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting) in the dexamethasone group. There were no significant differences between the two groups for the other 21 symptoms examined. We concluded that premedication with oral dexamethasone significantly reduces the gastrointestinal side effects associated with metrizamide myelography. This reduction was especially important in older patients.