title: Ultrasonographic determination of neonatal spinal canal depth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine by ultrasound (US) the spinal canal depth (SCD) in neonates and subsequently establish a nomogram and simple formula for calculating this distance.
  
  
  METHODS
  116 US measurements were performed by two investigators in 105 neonates at the L3/4 intervertebral space. Both anterior and posterior spinal canal depth were measured and mid-spinal canal depth (MSCD) calculated. Measurements of intra- and interobserver variability were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A clear relationship was found between body weight (W, kg) and all SCD measurements in neonates. In particular, MSCD = 2.2 W + 6.89 mm (R(2) correlation coefficient 0.76), approximated by 2 W + 7 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCD measurements are easily determined by US in neonates, with good correlation between weight and MSCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Arthurs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zubier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tooley
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kelsall
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001835:Body Weight; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008954:Models, Biological; D015588:Observer Variation; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography