Intrathecal administration
Intrathecal Administration
Intrathecal administration (pronunciation: in-tra-thee-kal ad-min-is-tra-shun) is a route of administration for drugs via an injection into the spinal canal, or into the subarachnoid space so that it reaches the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is useful in spinal anesthesia, chemotherapy, or pain management applications. This route is also used to administer medications that fight certain types of cancer, particularly those of the central nervous system.
Etymology
The term "intrathecal" originates from the Greek words "intra," meaning "within," and "theca," meaning "a case," thus literally translating to "within a case." In medical terminology, it refers to the method of delivering medication directly into the spinal canal.
Procedure
The procedure for intrathecal administration involves the insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal canal, typically between the lumbar vertebrae. Once the needle is in place, the medication can be injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.
Applications
Intrathecal administration is commonly used in the following medical applications:
- Spinal Anesthesia: This is a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of a local anesthetic into the subarachnoid space.
- Chemotherapy: Certain chemotherapy drugs can be administered intrathecally, particularly for cancers that affect the central nervous system.
- Pain Management: For chronic pain, certain medications can be administered intrathecally to directly target the spinal cord and provide relief.
Related Terms
- Subarachnoid Space: The space in the meninges between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater, into which the cerebrospinal fluid is released.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): A clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord.
- Central Nervous System (CNS): The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Intrathecal administration
- Wikipedia's article - Intrathecal administration
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