title: The reproducibility of the iliac crest as a marker of lumbar spine level.
abstract: The postero-anterior lumbar spine X rays of 163 patients undergoing investigation for back pain were reviewed and the spinal level marking the intersection of a line joining the iliac crests was determined. This point coincided with the L4 spinous process or the L4-5 interspace in 78.6% of patients but was as high as the L3-4 interspace in 3.7% of cases. Reliance on this landmark might lead to more cranial placement of epidural or spinal needles than was intended and this may increase the risk of spinal cord damage.
authors.affiliation: Southampton Genral Hospital.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Render
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography