The rise and fall of Queckenstedt's test between 1916 and 1970, a milestone in spinal cord diagnostics and why it matters.

background and purposeIn 1916, Hans H. G. Queckenstedt (1876-1918) was the first to describe a test aimed at detecting spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space obstruction through lumbar CSF pressure measurements in paraplegic patients. For this test, bilateral jugular vein compression was applied during lumbar puncture and consecutive changes in lumbar CSF pressure were then observed. Findings were rated as normal, or indicative of incomplete or complete spinal block. This test, known as Queckenstedt's test, became widely adopted and further developed in the field.

methodsThis systematic literature review provides an overview of the milestones in research using Queckenstedt's test.

resultsClinical research involving Queckenstedt's test was widely disseminated across the globe. In 1922, the proof of concept for Queckenstedt's test was provided by James B. Ayer (1882-1963) through simultaneous cisternal and lumbar CSF pressure measurements. He found that the cisternal (in contrast to lumbar) pressure remained responsive in cases with spinal block. The test was further refined up until the 1960s, and was considered a routine diagnostic procedure for testing of spinal canal obstruction. Developments in non-invasive spinal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging led to a significant decline in interest in Queckenstedt's test, and the test eventually disappeared from textbooks and clinical routine. However, at the beginning of the 21st century there was renewed interest in revealing the biomechanical properties of the CSF through advanced recording and computational techniques to complement spinal imaging.

conclusionSpine and spinal cord physicians should be familiar with Queckenstedt's test, which not only represented a milestone in spinal diagnostics, but provided a physiological framework for the appreciation of spinal cord compression that is still valid today.