Ultrasonic observation on location of normal conus medullaris tip in neonates

Objective To explore the methods on locating conus medullaris in neonates with ultrasound.Methods The normal location of conus medullaris in 150 full-term neonates were expressed in two ways: The length of internal filum terminal and the distance between conus medullaris and sacral hiatus.Results The length of internal filum terminal was from 3.62 cm to 5.54 cm,and the distance between conus medullaris and sacral hiatus was from 5.92 cm to 9.72 cm.The length of internal filum terminal and the distance between conus medullaris and sacral hiatus were correlated with newborn' height and weight.There was correlation between the length of internal filum terminal and the distance between conus medullaris.Conclusion The length of internal filum terminal,the distance between conus medullaris and sacral hiatus can express exactly the position of conus medullaris in neonates.