Quantitative Anatomy of the Thoracolumbar Epidural Space

Abstract

Quantitative measurements of the epidural space between T-7 and L-4 were made in the sagittal and coronal planes utilizing x-ray films made after the injection of iodized oil into the epidural space in the low thoracic and upper lumbar areas. These data reveal a 1-mm ventral epidural space and a 2-mm lateral epidural space, with a sawtooth shape to the dorsal epidural space measuring between 1.1 and 2.9 mm at the rostral lamina and between 3.8 and 6.5 mm at the caudal lamina. Additionally, five patients with chronic pain were studied by computed tomography of T-8 to T-12, with confirmation of the sawtooth shape of the dorsal epidural space. Computed tomography showed the measurements of the epidural space at the rostral lamina to vary between 1.3 and 1.6 mm and those at the caudal lamina/interlaminar space to range from 6.9 to 9.1 mm.