An apparatus is disclosed including: an optical coherence tomographic system; a spinal needle having a needle tip adapted to penetrate tissue; and an optical delivery system adapted to direct probe light from the optical coherence tomographic system onto tissue located in front of the needle tip, collect test light backscattered from the tissue, and transmit the test light to the optical coherence tomographic system. The optical coherence tomographic system is adapted to provide information indicative of one or more properties of the tissue based on the test light.