Study | Number (ultrasound/control) | Criteria | Baseline demographics and differences | Setting | Ultrasound timing and type | LP performer expertise | Patient position during LP |
Lam et al
26
(USA) | 26 (11/15) (planned 120) | <12 months, no previous back surgery, no informed consent. | Median age: 24 days. | ED or paediatric ward. | Preprocedural; Sonosite M-turbo (Bothell, Washington, USA) or Zonare Z.one (Mountain View, California, USA). | All LPs but one by paediatric residents. | N/A |
Kessler et al
25
(USA) | 79 (39/40) | <90 days, stable, no spinal dysraphism. | Mean age UALP vs SLP: 30 days versus 25 days. | ED. | Preprocedural. | Resident, PEM fellow, attendng. | N/A |
Gorn et al
23
(USA) | 43 (21/22) (planned 46) | <60 days, no known abnormality of the spine and/or a VP shunt. | Median age lower in UALP group 38 days versus 45 days. | ED. | Preprocedural; Siemens Sonoline G40 (Siemens Corp). | N/A | Lateral decubitus proposed in methods (not available in results). |
Neal et al
24
(USA) | 128 (64/64) | <6 months, no known abnormality of the spine, English speaking. | Median age 29 days; more males and more procedures in sitting position in UALP. | ED. | Preprocedural; Mindray M7 (Mindray, New Jersey, USA). | Students, residents, NP, PEM fellows and PEM attendings. | Lateral decubitus and sitting. |
ED, emergency department; LP, lumbar puncture; N/A, not available; NP, nurse practitioner; PEM, paediatric emergency medicine; UALP, ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture; VP, ventriculoperitoneal.