Ultrasound vs Palpation for Spinal Tap
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to determine whether ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture improves first-needle insertion success compared with the standard palpation technique in adults undergoing a clinically indicated lumbar puncture.
The primary question is whether pre-procedural ultrasound localization increases the likelihood of successful cerebrospinal fluid collection on the first needle insertion. The study will also evaluate overall procedural success, the number of needle insertions and redirections, procedure time, the need for subsequent image-guided lumbar puncture, traumatic tap, procedural and post-procedural pain, and post-dural puncture headache.
Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo lumbar puncture using either pre-procedural ultrasound localization or standard palpation of anatomical landmarks.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who need a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) as part of their medical care. People with certain conditions or reasons that make the procedure unsafe may not be able to join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Standard Palpation-Guided Lumbar Puncture
- Ultrasound-Assisted Lumbar Puncture
Trial Overview
The study compares two ways of doing a lumbar puncture: one uses ultrasound imaging to help guide needle placement, and the other relies on feeling anatomical landmarks by hand. Participants are randomly assigned to either method.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants undergo pre-procedural point-of-care ultrasound to identify and mark the spinal midline, selected interspinous spaces and to estimate the depth to the target. The lumbar puncture is then performed using standard technique without real-time ultrasound guidance.
The lumbar puncture insertion site is selected by palpation of anatomical landmarks without pre-procedural ultrasound localization. The lumbar puncture is then performed using standard technique.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The Cooper Health System
Lead Sponsor
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