Have had (2) myelograms (cspine). Both were done post-op from fusion, and did show more than MRI due to the artifact/distortion (on MRI) caused by the plating/screws.

Did it hurt? Ummm, well, you are having a spinal cord puncture. The second time around, the radiologist hit a nerve going in, and I can, without a doubt say this was the first ever procedure that left me in tears. There is no anesthesia, sedation, anything (except for a local at the puncture site).

The main discomfort I had each time was enduring a week long spinal headache, as I could not envision gettting back to the hospital for a blood patch, as I could not stand up long enough without severe head pain.

I developed the spinal headache the moment the table was tilted to bring the dye into the area needing to be examined, and it didn't go away, even following orders to lay low. It took a good week before the head pain dissipated (but at least it did go away).

best of luck.