Ultrasound identification of landmarks preceding lumbar puncture: a pilot study.

AIM: To assess the utility of bedside ultrasound performed by an emergency physician in adults undergoing diagnostic lumbar puncture. METHOD: 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.