Osteomedullography of radius in dogs: an experimental study

Osteomedullography of the radius was done in 16 adult, healthy dogs of either sex. The contrast material (sodium iothalamate) was injected either into the distal or proximal metaphysis. The medullgrams were taken either by tourniquet or phlebocompression techniques. Radiographic exposure obtained at the last phase of injection of contrast material provided excellent osteomedullographic details and demonstrated most of the intra and extra-osseous venous channels of the bone. Phlebocom-pression technique demonstrated all the components of intraosseous venous system more clearly, while tourniquet method also visualized extraosseous vessels. Introduction of the contrast material into the proximal metaphysis resulted in better filling of both ascending and descending medullary vessels, but failed to opacity the distal metaphyseo-epiphyseal venous system. The intraosseous venous system consisted of central medullary vein, metaphyseo-epiphyseal veins, venous sinusoids, endosteal veins and nutrient vein. The injected contrast material quickly drained out of bone. The technique may be used as an aid in diagnosis of bone diseases.