Back to Search
Start Over
MR determination of neonatal spinal canal depth.
- Source :
-
European journal of radiology [Eur J Radiol] 2012 Aug; Vol. 81 (8), pp. e813-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 May 18. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Objectives: Lumbar punctures (LPs) are frequently performed in neonates and often result in traumatic haemorrhagic taps. Knowledge of the distance from the skin to the middle of the spinal canal (mid-spinal canal depth - MSCD) may reduce the incidence of traumatic taps, but there is little data in extremely premature or low birth weight neonates. Here, we determined the spinal canal depth at post-mortem in perinatal deaths using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).<br />Patients and Methods: Spinal canal depth was measured in 78 post-mortem foetuses and perinatal cases (mean gestation 26 weeks; mean weight 1.04kg) at the L3/L4 inter-vertebral space at post-mortem MRI. Both anterior (ASCD) and posterior (PSCD) spinal canal depth were measured; MSCD was calculated and modelled against weight and gestational age.<br />Results: ASCD and PSCD (mm) correlated significantly with weight and gestational age (all r>0.8). A simple linear model MSCD (mm)=3×Weight (kg)+5 was the best fit, identifying an SCD value within the correct range for 87.2% (68/78) (95% CI (78.0, 92.9%)) cases. Gestational age did not add significantly to the predictive value of the model.<br />Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between MSCD and body weight at post-mortem MRI in foetuses and perinatal deaths. If this association holds in preterm neonates, use of the formula MSCD (mm)=3×Weight (kg)+5 could result in fewer traumatic LPs in this population.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1872-7727
- Volume :
- 81
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- European journal of radiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22609321
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.02.003