{"id":"b0008bcc-018b-4f5c-abb0-3fbbc0bf722b","slug":"success-rate-of-elective-lumbar-puncture-at-a-major-melbourne-neurology-unit","title":"Success rate of elective lumbar puncture at a major Melbourne neurology unit","authors":["Peter Williams","Genevieve Tait","Tissa Wijeratne"],"abstract":"Background: Lumbar puncture remains an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in clinical neurology. Failed lumbar punctures can result in a delay in diagnosis. Ultrasound may have a role in increasing successful lumbar puncture rates. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from patient notes who had an elective lumbar puncture from January 2012 to August 2015. Results: During this four-year period, 74 patients underwent a neurologic outpatient lumbar puncture. Of these 74 lumbar punctures, 53 were successful (28% failure rate). Conclusions: This study found a 28% failure rate of conventional palpation-guided lumbar puncture. Ultrasound may provide an exciting opportunity to optimize lumbar puncture procedures and improve patient experience and diagnostic outcomes.","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2018-01-16T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_426_17","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/b0008bcc-018b-4f5c-abb0-3fbbc0bf722b/pdf"}