Today I had an 83 yo patient with a history of spinal stenosis that over the years had received 30 something lumbar ESI. Over the years he states that the pain doc has had to continually lower the level of injections due to calcifications. Now injections are at L5-S1. Scheduled for THA under spinal.
I haven’t really used US for neuraxial much. Mostly just for determining midline on very obese patients with poor landmarks. This is for various reasons including need to have a curvilinear US available, not having people freak out about people doing anything different, and timing (ironically because this could actually save time if utilized on patients like this one,
but people don’t get it).
I found it quite helpful for finding a window in the sagital oblique interlaminar view. Actually found a window at L4-5 and L5-S1. No windows above L4-5. Went with L4-5. Hit OS with midline and so I went right paramedian,the side I scanned, and got clear CSF. I went midline initially because I still find it helps me build a mental image by probing with the needle, but I can imagine forgoing this step eventually.
I did the scan out in pre op and marked his back with a surgical marker. Spinal performed in the OR.
For those of you that utilize US for neuraxial, how do you employ this in your practice? It doesn’t save time on the average spinal, only the difficult ones. Also, ideally it would be done before struggling and wasting time on blind approaches.