Abstract
Introduction: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia (UGRA) is being used increasingly in patients but varying patient
characteristics make it difficult to visualize needles and spread of local anaesthetic fluid.
Methods: To evaluate the use of elastography for UGRA by performing ultrasound-guided nerve blocks in Thiel embalmed cadavers. Both upper limb and lower limb blocks were performed on cadavers with ultrasound guidance. B-mode and elastography images obtained on split screen were analysed.
Results: The B-mode images were superior compared with the ultrasound elastography images with respect to the anatomical details; however, dynamic changes such as fluid spread were visualized better with elastography.
Conclusion: The elastography images also had good dose response to the volume of the injectate implying its usefulness in detecting local anaesthetic spread when low volumes are used as test doses.
characteristics make it difficult to visualize needles and spread of local anaesthetic fluid.
Methods: To evaluate the use of elastography for UGRA by performing ultrasound-guided nerve blocks in Thiel embalmed cadavers. Both upper limb and lower limb blocks were performed on cadavers with ultrasound guidance. B-mode and elastography images obtained on split screen were analysed.
Results: The B-mode images were superior compared with the ultrasound elastography images with respect to the anatomical details; however, dynamic changes such as fluid spread were visualized better with elastography.
Conclusion: The elastography images also had good dose response to the volume of the injectate implying its usefulness in detecting local anaesthetic spread when low volumes are used as test doses.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41-48 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Ultrasound |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2012 |
Keywords
- Sonoelastography, Thiel cadaver, regional anaesthesia