Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which neurosurgical pathway would a myelogram diagnose?

1. Subdural hematoma

2. Creutzfeldt Jakob

3. Spinal stenosis

4. Myelomeningocele

The correct answer is: Spinal stenosis

A myelogram is a diagnostic imaging procedure that involves the injection of a contrast dye into the spinal canal to improve the visualization of the spinal cord and nerve roots on X-rays or CT scans. This technique is particularly useful for identifying abnormalities in the spinal structures, including conditions that lead to compression of the spinal canal or nerve roots. The correct choice, spinal stenosis, is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness due to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. A myelogram would effectively reveal the narrowing by highlighting the anatomy of the spine and any obstructions. In contrast, conditions like subdural hematoma, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and myelomeningocele would not be diagnosed through a myelogram. A subdural hematoma involves bleeding between the brain and its outermost covering and is typically assessed through different imaging modalities such as CT or MRI. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a progressive neurological disorder that usually requires specialized tests, not typically involving myelograms. Myelomeningocele is a type of spina bifida visible through other imaging techniques and often diagnosed prenatally or through ultrasound rather than