Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) may have scoliosis requiring spinal hardware for spinal fixation. The scoliosis in addition to the spinal hardware makes intrathecal access difficult with conventional approaches. With recent FDA approval of nusinersen (SpinrazaÒ) for SMA, intrathecal access is required for administration of this meditation. We describe our experience in these patients using a variety of lumbar puncture approaches (intra-spinous process, trans-pedicle, and trans-foraminal) utilizing conventional fluoroscopy, cone-beam CT (CBCT) with fluoroscopy overlay and/or conventional CT with CT fluoroscopy. Approach to the type of access and image guidance is based on the presence of spinal hardware and degree of scoliosis and spinal fusion. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2018 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2018

Authors: Patel Manish, Weiss Judith, Kandil Ali, Johnson Neil

Keywords: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Lumbar Puncture, Spinraza