Success rate of elective lumbar puncture at a major Melbourne neurology unit

BACKGROUND: Lumbar puncture remains an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in clinical neurology. Failed lumbar punctures can result in a delay in diagnosis. Ultrasound may have a role in increasing successful lumbar puncture rates. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively from patient notes who had an elective lumbar puncture from January 2012 to August 2015. RESULTS: During this four-year period, 74 patients underwent a neurologic outpatient lumbar puncture. Of these 74 lumbar punctures, 53 were successful (28% failure rate). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a 28% failure rate of conventional palpation-guided lumbar puncture. Ultrasound may provide an exciting opportunity to optimize lumbar puncture procedures and improve patient experience and diagnostic outcomes.