J Korean Pain Soc.  1999 May;12(1):114-118.

A Clinical Measure of the Skin to Cervical Epidural Space Depth in the Korean Adults

• Han KR
• Choi HR
• Hyun HS
• Kwak NK
• Kim C

Abstract

BACKGROUNDS: Cervical epidural blocks were used as part of a comprehensive multimodal treatment program for patients with chronic pain in the head, neck and upper extremities. The depth of the epidural space beneth the skin surface varies at different levels of the spinal column in the same patient. It also varies from patient to patient at the same vertebral level. We studied the distance the skin to the cervical epidural space in adults patients at different intervertebral spaces.
METHODS
Date were gathered from 628 patients having cervical epidural block for relief of cervical and upper extrimity pain. All blocks were performed using hanging drop method after loss of resistance with saline at C5-6, C6-7, C7-Tl intervertebral space.
RESULTS
Mean distances for skin to cervical epidural space (DSES) were 5.42 cm, 5.06 cm, 4.68 cm in male, 5.00 cm, 4.61 cm, 4.10 cm in female at C7-T1, C6-7, C5-6 intervertebral space. DSES correlated with body weight, neck circumference and body mass index significantly.
CONCLUSION
In the cervical spine, DSES varies from space to space. The longest DSES were noted at C7-Tl level in male, and the shortest DSES were at C5-6 in female. DSES has significant relationships with weight, neck circumference and body mass index.

Keyword

Analgesia, cervical epidural depth

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Chronic Pain
Combined Modality Therapy
Epidural Space*
Female
Head
Humans
Male
Neck
Skin*
Spine
Upper Extremity