Level of termination of the spinal cord and the dural sac: a magnetic resonance study.

Previous studies concerning the level of termination of the human spinal cord have been carried out in unselected cadavers. We have used magnetic resonance imaging to determine this level of termination, and that of the dural sac, in normal living subjects. We found a wider range of the level of termination of both the spinal cord and dural sac and a higher median level of termination of each than is commonly described. These anatomical findings are of clinical relevance to clinicians practicing regional anesthesia.