Absence of cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities and spinal cord lesions after iotrolan cervical myelography in normal cats: an open placebo-controlled study.

Iotrolan (Isovist 300, Schering AG) at a volume of 0.5 ml/kg B.W. was injected into the cerebellomedullary cistern of 12 cats (Isovist group); the same volume of normal saline was injected in four other cats (control group). Two ml of CSF was collected from each anaesthetized cat by cisternal tap immediately before, and 7 and 15 days after, injection. The physical characteristics, specific gravity, total cell count and total protein concentration of each CSF sample were recorded. The cats were euthanized on day 15 immediately after CSF samples and spinal cord specimens had been obtained. Spinal cord histopathology was examined with the aid of light and transmission electron microscopy. The physical characteristics of all the CSF samples were within the reference range. No significant differences were found for CSF specific gravity, total cell count and total protein concentration between the pre-injection samples and those collected 7 and 15 days post-injection in both groups; no spinal cord lesions were detected in histopathology.

Absence of postmyelographic adverse effects and high radiographic resolution of iotrolan used in the cervical myelography for the clinically normal cat: an open-placebo controlled study.

Iotrolan solution at 300 mgI/ml (Isovist 300, Schering AG), was injected into the cerebromedullary cistern in 8 cats (Isovist group), at a volume of 0.5 ml/Kg BW and over one minute. In 3 cats (control group), normal saline was also injected at a same volume and speed. During the subarachnoid injection and at 1, 5 and 10 min thereafter all the cats were being monitored for evidence of respiratory arrest, bradycardia or changes in the arterial blood pressure. The cats were also checked for postmyelographic adverse effects for at least 3 h after their complete recovery from anaesthesia. Postmyelographic neurologic examination was done for 3 consecutive days and the myelographic quality of the films taken at 5 and 15 min postinjection was evaluated. No significant differences were detected between the Isovist and the control groups for all the variables evaluated immediately before, during and up to 3 days after the injection. No actual post-myelographic adverse effects were seen in the animals of both groups. At 15 and 30 min postinjection the opacity, the distention of the subarachnoid space and the detail of all the myelograms obtained were assessed as highly diagnostic.