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  • Lumbar Spine Anatomy in Women Sustaining Unintentional Dural Puncture During Labor Epidural Placement: A Descriptive Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound

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Obstetric Analgesia: Original Article
Lumbar Spine Anatomy in Women Sustaining Unintentional Dural Puncture During Labor Epidural Placement: A Descriptive Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound
  1. Nicholas M. Barrett, MB, BCh, BAO*,
  2. Cristian Arzola, MD, MSc*,
  3. Timo Krings, MD, PhD†,
  4. Kristi Downey, MSc* and
  5. Jose C.A. Carvalho, MD, PhD*
  1. *Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  2. †Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, University Health Network & Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  1. Address correspondence to: Nicholas M. Barrett, MB, BCh, BAO, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave, Room 19-103, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5 (e-mail: drnickmb{at}gmail.com).

Abstract

Background and Objectives Unintentional dural puncture is one of the most frequent complications of the epidural technique. One previous study suggested that atypical sonoanatomy of the ligamentum flavum/dura mater unit may be a risk factor for this complication. In this study, we describe the anatomy of the lumbar spine, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, in women sustaining unintentional dural puncture during epidural catheter placement for labor analgesia.

Methods We approached women who sustained a recognized unintentional dural puncture. Following consent, technical aspects of the epidural catheter placement were documented. Postpartum MRI of the lumbar spine and bedside spinal ultrasound were performed. Ultrasound images of the ligamentum flavum/dura mater unit in the transverse view were classified as typical, atypical, or inconclusive. Magnetic resonance imaging images were reviewed by a neuroradiologist, who was blinded to the level of the puncture.

Results We included 10 women with unintentional dural punctures in the study. In 5 of the 10 women, these dural punctures occurred despite epidural catheter insertion by experienced practitioners. These women had a mean body mass index of 28.5 kg/m2 (range, 24–38 kg/m2). Two women suffered dural punctures twice. Ultrasound imaging in the paramedian view produced typical images in all patients. In the transverse view, 7 of 10 women showed atypical or inconclusive images, with atypical images seen at either L4/5 or L5/S1. Magnetic resonance imaging results revealed no anatomical abnormalities, with the exception of 1 woman who showed a ligamentum flavum gap away from the puncture site.

Conclusions Our results suggest that unintentional dural punctures occur in likely anatomically normal women. Furthermore, the transverse ultrasound views may fail to demonstrate typical ligamentum flavum/dura mater unit at the lower lumbar levels despite its confirmed presence by MRI.

https://doi.org/10.1097/AAP.0000000000000693

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    Footnotes

    • This work was presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology in Boston, MA, in May 2016 and at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in June 2016.

      The authors declare no conflict of interest.