Ioglunide is an iodobenzene derivative patented by Laboratoires Andre Guerbet as an oil-based X-ray contrast medium. Iophendylate was commonly used in conventional myelography from the 1940s to the late 1980s before the utilization of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and water-soluble contrast agents. Ioglunide, which was never shown to be safe, was initially introduced for use in small amounts for locating spinal tumors. It next appeared on the world scene for high volume, routine use, in diagnosing disc herniations.