For lead placement at T10-L3, where is the skin entry typically located?

When placing leads for spinal stimulation at the T10-L3 levels, the skin entry point is typically located 1-2 levels below the targeted dorsal root ganglion (DRG). This positioning is essential because the leads need to reach the specific neural structures effectively. The anatomy of the spinal cord and the descending spinal nerves means that the entry needs to account for the trajectory of the electrical leads as they ascend to the designated location.

Specifically, since the DRG are positioned laterally to the spinal cord, launching leads from a point slightly inferior ensures that they can effectively stimulate the desired nerve roots. Thus, placing the entry point 1-2 levels below the targeted DRG allows the leads to navigate around the spinal anatomy and achieve optimal positioning along the nerve pathways. Understanding the spatial relationships between the skin, the vertebrae, and the DRG is crucial for effective and safe lead placement.