Successful lumbar puncture with Taylor's approach for the diagnostic workup of meningitis in a patient with Ankylosing spondylitis

Gentle Sunder Shrestha, Subhash Prasad Acharya, Niraj Keyal, Hem Raj Paneru, Pramesh Sunder ShresthaIndian Journal of Critical Care Medicine 2015 19(10):618-620Meningitis and encephalitis are the neurological emergencies. As the clinical findings lack specificity, once suspected, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis should be performed and parenteral antimicrobials should be administered without delay. Lumbar puncture can be technically challenging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis due to ossification of ligaments and obliteration of interspinous spaces. Here, we present a case of ankylosing spondylitis where attempts for lumbar puncture by conventional approach failed. CSF sample was successfully obtained by Taylor's approach.

Source: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine - October 9, 2015 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Gentle Sunder ShresthaSubhash Prasad AcharyaNiraj KeyalHem Raj PaneruPramesh Sunder Shrestha Source Type: research