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

Abstract

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 postmyelographic 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.

Absence of Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities and Spinal Cord Lesions after Iotrolan Cervical Myelography in Normal Cats: An Open Placebo‐Controlled Study

“…There is still the possibility of missing early neurotoxic changes that might have been detected if the CSF and spinal cord sampling had been carried out during the first 5 days after the iotrolan injection. However, these changes would be clinically insignificant as none of the cats exhibited any neurological signs during the same period of time (Patsikas et al, 1999).…”

“…Clinical abnormalities, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes and meningeal reaction following myelography are mainly related to the neurotoxic effects of contrast media (CM). Iotrolan (Isovist ® , Schering AG, Athens, Greece), a third generation nonionic dimeric CM, has longer opacification time and is less neurotoxic than the other CM used for human (Muetzel et al, 1984;Hammer and Deisenhammer, 1985;Wenzel-Hora, 1987;Wagner et al, 1994) or animal myelography (Press et al, 1989;Van Bree et al, 1991;Widmer and Blevins, 1991;Skalpe and Tang, 1995;Patsikas et al, 1999).…”

“…The scope of this part was to evaluate the risk of inducing CSF abnormalities and/or spinal cord lesions when using iotrolan for myelography in the cat. The results of the first part, dealing with the radiographic quality and possible adverse clinical effects of iotrolan, have already been published (Patsikas et al, 1999…”