Applications of intrathecal catheters in children

Access to the intrathecal space may be required for sampling of cerebrospin al fluid for diagnostic purposes, for the administration of pharmacological agents, or for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage to lower intracranial pr essure. The current report details five children in whom a percutaneously p laced lumbar intrathecal catheter was used: (i) to provide intraoperative s urgical anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia (ii); to deliver intrath ecal fentanyl to provide postoperative analgesia (iii); to provide chronic pain control during the terminal stages of metastatic malignancy; (iv) to a llow repeated doses of intrathecal chemotherapy; and (v) to allow CSF drain age and prevent CSF leakage following frontal encephalocele repair. The ind ications and applications of intrathecal catheters in the paediatric aged p atient are reviewed.