Postmyelography Acute Paraplegia in Patients With Spinal Cord Stimulators: Case Series and Review of Literature
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) myelography is an important imaging modality utilized in patients who cannot tolerate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to severe artifact or because of the presence of MRI incompatible medical devices. In the setting of thoracic stenosis and a spinal cord stimulator (SCS), it can predispose patients to develop acute weakness and paraplegia after myelography. CASE PRESENTATION: We present 2 patients with symptomatic thoracic stenosis who developed acute paraplegia after a CT myelogram. Both patients had SCSs due to a history of back pain and were taken emergently to the operating room for SCS removal and thoracic spine decompression. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of acute paraplegia postmyelography in the presence of an SCS in the thoracic spine. This report serves as an important warning and possible emerging contraindication for ordering CT myelography in patients with thoracic stenosis in the presence of an SCS.
DOI: 10.14444/8760
Institution: University of South Florida
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410226802