Applied anatomy for tibial intraosseous access in adults: A Radioanatomical Study

Intraosseous access is a method for providing vascular access in resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients when traditional intravenous access is difficult or impossible. There is a lack of detailed description for the landmark for the insertion point in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the exact location for intraosseous access. Radiographic computed tomography (CT) images of a total of 50 dry tibia bones were obtained. With 5-mm intervals, for all transverse images and by selecting transverse section, measurements were taken from the thickness of the cortex at anterior margin and mid-line medial surface, distance from anterior margin, and mid-line medial surface of the tibia to the posterior wall of medullar cavity, distance from anterior margin and mid-line medial surface of the tibia to the posterior surface of the tibia. The thinner part of the cortex of the tibia and the larger width of the medullar cavity is at 0.5 cm below the tibial tuberosity in the midline of the medial surface. The application region for proximal tibia access and landmark and most suitable insertion point for intraosseous infusion should be at level 0.5 cm below the tibial tuberosity in the midline of the medial surface. It was recommended that standard length for intraosseous canule should be 17 mm except for the thickness of skin. In conclusion, presented study provides certain localization for intraosseous access and standard length for intraosseous canule and this will be more effective in using this technique. Clin. Anat. 31:593-597, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.