Ultrasound-Assisted Lumbar Puncture in Children

The ultrasound probe type will be selected by the treating pediatric emergency physician who has been trained according to standards outlined below. They will first identify the conus medullaris and make a horizontal marking with a sterile pen on the patient's back. Using a transverse view, they will then identify the midline of the patient's spine (using adjacent spinous processes) and will make 2 vertical skin markings on either side of the probe. Next, they will orient the probe in a longitudinal view to identify the desired vertebral interspace and will make 2 horizontal skin markings on either side of the probe at this level. Finally the 4 lines will be joined together at an intersection point, which will be the predetermined site for puncture attempt.