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Correspondence |
* University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, E-mail: pat.morley-forster{at}sjhc.london.on.ca
We appreciate the interest shown by Drs. Beriault and Korzeniewski in our recent case report1 describing the use of the Tsui test to target placement of a thoracic epidural blood patch. These authors object to our expressed caution in entering the epidural space between T2 and T4, based on both their own extensive experience with high thoracic epidural placement, and their concern that the cited findings of failure of ligamentum flavum fusion in the midline reported by Lirk et al.,2 may be an artifact of the embalming preparation. Our major objective in reporting this case was to demonstrate that it is possible to use the Tsui test to allow precise placement of a blood patch at a site distal from the entry point. Using this strategy, we were able to both circumvent the theoretical risks associated with high thoracic epidural entry, as well as confirm that the catheter placement is limited to the epidural space.
Beyond the debatable ligamentum flavum fusion failure, there are other theoretical reasons to avoid high thoracic insertion. Foremost, this portion of the spinal cord has been associated with a higher risk of significant cord injury, according to a recent Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation newsletter.A At the cervical and high thoracic levels, the epidural space is at its narrowest due to emerging roots of the brachial plexus. Intuitively, the margin of safety for avoidance of needle trauma may be reduced.
Although we agree that, in experienced hands, epidural catheter placement at the T2–4 level is generally safe, not all anesthesiologists share this level of experience and confidence with the anatomy. Up to 53% of first clinical attempts using loss-of-resistance technique fail in the high thoracic or cervical region, if performed without fluoroscopic guidance.3
On occasion, there can be sufficient cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the epidural space at the site of previous dural puncture to create the mistaken impression that one has again breached the dura in performing the epidural blood patch. Another advantage to using the Tsui test for an epidural blood patch is that a motor response elicited at a low current level (< 1 mA) can be used as a warning sign of catheter placement in the subdural or subarachnoid space. Thus, one can be assured with a negative test response at low current that catheter tip placement is not only at the correct level, but is confined to the epidural space.4
Footnotes
A Lofsky AS. Complications of cervical epidural blocks attract insurance company attention. Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Newsletter; Fall 2005. 
References
1 Morley-Forster PK, Abotaiban A, Ganapathy S, Moulin DE, Leung A, Tsui B. Targeted thoracic epidural blood patch placed under electrical stimulation guidance (Tsui test). Can J Anesth 2006; 53: 375–9.
2 Lirk P, Kolbitsch C, Putz G, et al. Cervical and high thoracic ligamentum flavum frequently fails to fuse in the midline. Anesthesiology 2003; 99: 1387–90.[Medline]
3 Stojanovic MP, Vu TN, Caneris O, Slezak J, Cohen SP, Sang CN. The role of fluoroscopy in cervical epidural steroid injection: An analysis of contrast dispersal patterns. Spine 2002; 27: 509–14.[Medline]
4 Tsui BC, Gupta S, Finucane B. Detection of subarachnoid and intravascular epidural catheter placement. Can J Anesth 1999; 46: 675–8.
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