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Ultrasound can be used to find spinal anatomical landmarks to aid the performance of lumbar puncture (LP), but it is unclear whether this practice improves success. To test whether ultrasound assistance improves LP success in pediatric patients, researchers in Canada randomized 166 children requiring LP in the emergency department. Ultrasound was performed by a treating clinician certified in ultrasound use, with specific training in ultrasound for LP, who identified and marked landmarks and then performed the LP. Children randomized to no ultrasound assistance underwent LP with standard techniques for landmark identification.
Median patient age was 1 month, and most patients underwent LP for fever evaluation. Ultrasound exams took a median …