[A radiological analysis of the position of lumbar epidural catheters: a comparison between median and paramedian approach].
The position of lumbar epidural catheters was confirmed by radiography in 71 patients. Catheters were advanced by 5 cm cephalad in the lumbar epidural space by paramedian approach (Group P: n = 28) or median one (Group M: n = 43) and contrast media was injected through the catheters. If the contrast media was present in the paravertebral regions, the catheter was considered to be in the abnormal position. The incidence of the abnormal position of the catheters was higher in group M than in group P significantly. To advance an epidural catheter longer into the lumbar epidural space, paramedian approach may be superior to median one.
Saitoh
K
K
Department of Anesthesiology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi.
Kawakami
T
T
Hotta
K
K
Inoue
S
S
Horiguchi
Y
Y
Fukuda
H
H
Hirabayashi
Y
Y
Mitsuhata
H
H
Shimizu
R
R
D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography