Preprocedural prediction of epidural depth using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in cervical interlaminar epidural injections: A fluoroscopic validation study
Authors' conclusion
Epidural depth in CIEIs can be predicted with clinically meaningful accuracy using both MRI and ultrasonography, with MRI demonstrating superior accuracy.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing cervical interlaminar epidural injection at C7-T1
- Participants
- 90 patients
- Exposure
- Ultrasonography (US)- and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-predicted epidural depth vs contrast-confirmed epidural depth under fluoroscopy
- Outcome
- Accuracy of predicted epidural depth (within ±0.3 cm of the CCED)
Methodological detailsfluoroscopic validation
- Fluoroscopic validation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Epidural depth; accuracy within ±0.3 cm of CCED
| Outcome | US-PED | MRI-PED | CCED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidural depth; accuracy within ±0.3 cm of CCED | mean 5.92 ± 0.77 cm | mean 5.93 ± 0.97 cm | 6.01 ± 0.84 cm |
| Accurate within ±0.3 cm | 60.0% | 67.8% | — not stated in the abstract |
| Spearman r with CCED | 0.80 | 0.94 | — not stated in the abstract |
— not stated in the abstract
- Strong positive correlations of both methods with CCED
- P < 0.001 for both
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of CCED with number of lateral fluoroscopic images (NLFI)
- Moderate positive correlation, r = 0.46
- P < 0.001
Association of CCED with age, gender, BMI
- No significant associations
Original publication
Preprocedural prediction of epidural depth using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in cervical interlaminar epidural injections: A fluoroscopic validation study. J Clin Anesth. Published 19 March 2026. doi:10.
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