Post-myelography paraplegia in a woman with thoracic stenosis

Context: Myelography is a commonly performed diagnostic test used to assess spine pathology. Complications are unusual and usually self-limited. We report a rare case of transient paraplegia following myelography in a woman with thoracic stenosis. Findings: A 51-year-old woman, 20 months status post-thoracic laminectomy, presented with progressive lower extremity weakness. The patient underwent myelography and post-myelography CT, and became paraplegic after the lumbar injection. Intravenous steroids were administered and a lumbar puncture was performed. The patient's neurologic function returned to baseline over the next 96 hours. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Myelography is generally a safe procedure, but on rare occasions serious complications can arise. Therapeutic maneuvers may be helpful in reversing neurologic deficit.