Evaluating the depth of the epidural space with the use of ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of the ultrasound on the determination of the depth of the epidural space.


METHODS
Sixty patients were included in this prospective study; the L(3)-L(4) space was initially identified by palpation followed by the ultrasound measuring the depth of the epidural space (PU). After the epidural puncture the measurements o the depth (PA) were recorded. The data underwent descriptive statistics, and the concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis, with 95% confidence interval were calculated.


RESULTS
Analysis of concordance between the palpation and ultrasound methods was 86.6%. Mean values of PU obtained were 4.97 +/- 0.51 cm and PA 4.97 +/- 0.71 cm, and Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.66 while Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.0035 +/- 0.53 cm with 95% confidence interval between -0.228 and 0.221.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasound is a precise tool to determine the depth of the epidural space.
Helayel
Pablo Escovedo
PE
Hospital Governador Celso Ramos. pehelayel@hotmail.com
da Conceição
Diogo Bruggemann
DB
Meurer
Gustavo
G
Swarovsky
Claudia
C
de Oliveira Filho
Getúlio Rodrigues
GR
D004824:Epidural Space / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography