title: Influence of patient positioning on the l5-l6 mid-laminar distance.
abstract: The aim of this project was to determine the effect of patient position on the L5-L6 mid-laminar distance (MLD). The lumbar area of 22 recently euthanatized dogs of various breeds was radiographed in three positions: lateral recumbency with the spine in neutral position, lateral recumbency with the spine flexed in a kyphotic position, and sternal recumbency with the spine flexed in a kyphotic position. Digital images of the radiographs were analyzed using a computer program that allowed measurement of the MLD between L5-L6 in the three positions. The L5 and L6 MLD was significantly larger in sternal recumbency with the spine flexed (142.3 units) than both in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed (138.7 units; P= 0.001) and lateral recumbency with the spine in the neutral position (135.8 units; P < or = 0.001). The MLD in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed was significantly larger than in lateral recumbency with the spine in neutral position (P = 0.005). Positioning a dog in sternal recumbency with the spine flexed produces a significantly larger MLD than in lateral recumbency with the spine flexed; this should simplify needle placement when performing a lumbar puncture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4. antonella.puggioni@ucd.ie
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puggioni
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arnett
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clegg
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glyde
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Hester
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McAllister
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000662:veterinary; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009192:Myelography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary