Services Our Team Schedule Appointment Locations Patient Resources Research and Publications Links		Myelogram Why is a myelogram ordered?  A myelogram may be ordered by your physician when information about the condition of your spine and spinal canal is needed and cannot be obtained by conventional CT scan or MRI study. It can provide detailed information about the condition of discs and nerves which may be obscured in other tests by the presence of surgical hardware or other material. What will happen to me during a myelogram ? A myelogram involves a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. You will be asked to lie on your side. After your skin is numbed, a physician will place a needle into the spinal canal in the lower back. A special dye will be injected into the spinal canal. Multiple x-rays will be performed to show the flow of the dye through the spinal sac. CT scans are usually also performed to provide a view of the nerves and spinal canal in cross section. What are the risks involved? Because the myelogram uses x-rays, you should tell your physician if there is a chance you may be pregnant. If you have an allergy to shellfish, iodine or dye, please be sure to inform your physician. As the myelogram involves a spinal tap, there are more risks involved. The risks associated with a spinal tap include meningitis (infection of the spinal fluid), spinal headache, and allergic reaction to the dye. There is also a very small chance that the needle will cause bleeding around the spinal sac. In the hands of an experienced practitioner, these risks are minimal.