The needle is inches into the child's spine. The intern anxiously yanks out the stylet, hoping for a drip of
amber fluid - cerebrospinal fluid - signaling he's tapped the right place. Nothing comes out. The stylet
goes back in as he repositions the needle. Again, nothing. The child is moaning. Frustrated, the intern
pulls the whole needle out. A drop of blood appears at the hole.
Resident and mother look nervously at each other. The intern feels again with his fingers, trying to gauge
position. He grabs for the needle again and makes a new hole. The kid is panting and whimpering. The
mother closes her eyes, squeezing out two more tears.