Ultrasound identification of landmarks preceding lumbar puncture: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utility of bedside ultrasound performed by an emergency physician in adults undergoing diagnostic lumbar puncture.


METHODS
Ultrasound was used as the primary means of determining the site of skin puncture, angle of needle advancement and depth needed to access the subarachnoid space.


RESULTS
Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained from 36 of 39 patients (92.3%) in the first interspinous space attempted.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasonographically measured depth of the dura mater correlates strongly with the final needle depth.
Ferre
R M
RM
Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas, USA.
Sweeney
T W
TW
Strout
T D
TD
D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000379:methods*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*