Utility of ultrasound imaging in localising the conus medullaris

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigating the utility of Ultrasound imaging in localising the conus medullaris level in adult population.

• IRAS ID

  181466

• Contact name

  Carolyn Maloney

• Contact email

  RIAdmin@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Regional anaesthesia and analgesia has become standard procedures for minor as well as major surgical procedures. This has improved significantly patient outcome compare to general anaesthesia. Currently neuraxial procedures (spinal and epidural) are performed based on anatomical landmarks. The exact location of the conus medullaris (lower end of spinal cord) remains controversial. Although MRI scan has been more accurate in determining the level of conus medullaris it may not always be feasible and cost effective test to guide neuraxial procedures in the clinic. Ultrasound imaging is frequently used at bed side to guide various interventions such as central line, chest drain placement and joint aspiration. This pilot study proposed here to investigates the utility of ultrasound in an adult population with normal BMI.
  The study will involve us looking at 2 different methods of determining the level of conus medullaris. The aim of our study is to make regional (epidural and spinal injections) anaesthesia, used during childbirth and many other operations, safer and reduce the risk of harm to patients. There is a small risk of paralysis due to accidental damage to the spinal cord during these injections. This could be reduced by locating the end of spinal cord (called Conus Medullaris in medical speak). Locating the end of the spinal cord can be done using the MRI scanner, but regional anaesthesia cannot be performed inside this scanner. We would like to identify the end of the spinal cord using an ultrasound scan, which is freely available. We need volunteers, who are due to have an MRI scan of their back (for spine problem) to allow us to perform an ultrasound

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/EM/0271

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Jul 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion