J Korean Pain Soc.  2000 Jun;13(1):89-92.

Distance from the Skin to the Cervical Epidural Space in Korean Adults

• Lee C
• Song JG
• Park JH
• Shin JW
• Choi Y
• Yun CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine if there is any relationship among the distance from the skin to cervical epidural space, patients height, weight, neck circumference and body mass index (BMI).
METHODS
The data was collected from 219 patients who suffer acute and chronic pain from neck and upper extrmities. Cervical epidural catheterization was perfomed at the Cg.q, Cv-T> intervertebral space. The depth of the epidural space from the skin, age, height, weight and neck circumference were measured by a standard ruler and the BMI was calcu1ated.
RESULTS
The distance from the skin to cervical epidural space at Cg.7, C7-T in males, and 7 C7 T in female were 4.69+/-0.55 cm, 5.24+/-0.61 cm, 4.28+/-0.49 cm, and 4.83+/-0.54 cm, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that body weight, neck circumference and BMI could be a guideline for the location of the cervical epidural space.

Keyword

Analgesia, epidural, cervical, depth

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Catheterization
Catheters
Chronic Pain
Epidural Space*
Female
Humans
Male
Neck
Skin*