PEDIATRICS Vol. 93 No. 4 April 1994, pp. 622-623
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ellis, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ellis, R., III

Lumbar Cerebrospinal Fluid Opening Pressure Measured in a Flexed Lateral Decubitus Position in Children

Robert Ellis III MD, FAAP, MC, USAF1

1 Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Objective. Lumbar punctures in children are generally performed in a flexed position. Published normal ranges for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure require measurement in an extended position, and flexion is known to increase lumbar CSF pressure. This study sought to determine a normal range (mean ± 2 SD) for lumbar CSF opening pressure measured in a flexed lateral decubitus position in children.

Methods. Opening pressure was measured in 33 children receiving diagnostic lumbar punctures or prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy. Measurements were performed in a flexed lateral decubitus position. Patients with medical conditions affecting CSF pressure were excluded.

Results. Opening pressure (mean ± SD) was 19.0 ± 4.4 cm H2O. Opening pressure was not significantly affected by patient age or sex. Intrathecal chemotherapy and sedation also did not affect CSF pressure.

Conclusions. The normal range for lumbar CSF opening pressure measured in a flexed lateral decubitus position in children is 10 to 28 cm H2O.

Submitted on June 28, 1993
Accepted on August 13, 1993




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
F. Distelmaier, E. Mayatepek, and D. Tibussek
Probable idiopathic intracranial hypertension in pre-pubertal children
Arch. Dis. Child., April 1, 2008; 93(4): 356 - 357.
[Full Text] [PDF]