Ultrasound evaluation of lumbar spine anatomy in newborn infants: implications for optimal performance of lumbar puncture.

Oulego-Erroz, Ignacio; Mora-Matilla, María; Alonso-Quintela, Paula; Rodríguez-Blanco, Silvia; Mata-Zubillaga, Daniel; de Armentia, Santiago Lapeña López · J Pediatr · 2014

cross_sectional · Level IV

Where this comes from

Abstract

An ultrasound evaluation of lumbar spine anatomic landmarks relevant for lumbar puncture was performed in 199 newborn infants. Effects of 6 patient positions and gestational age on interspinous process distance, subarachnoid space width, predicted needle entry angle, and needle insertion depth were assessed. Our results identify optimized conditions for lumbar puncture: sitting the infant with hips flexed, a needle entry angle of 65-70 degrees, and proper needle insertion depth (calculated as 2.5 × weight in kilograms + 6 in millimeters).

Medical subject headings