Musculoskeletal Sonopathology and Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia

Alan J. R. Macfarlane, MBChB, MRCP, FRCA
Department of Anaesthesia, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Brian D. Sites, MD
Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Vincent R. Sites, MD
Department of Radiology, Lahey Clinic

Ali M. Naraghi, MD, FRCR
Joint Department of Medical Imaging of University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital

Vincent W. S. Chan, MD, FRCPC
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

Mandeep Singh, MBBS, MD
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

John G. Antonakakis, MD
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia

Richard Brull, MD, FRCPC
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

Abstract

The use of real-time ultrasound guidance has revolutionized the practice of regional anesthesia. Ultrasound is rapidly becoming the technique of choice for nerve blockade due to increased success rates, faster onset, and potentially improved safety. In the course of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, unexpected pathology may be encountered. Such anomalous or pathological findings may alter the choice of nerve block and occasionally affect surgical management. This case series presents a variety of musculoskeletal conditions that may be encountered during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia practice.

This article appears in HSS Journal: Volume 7, Number 1.
View the full article at springerlink.com.

About the HSS Journal
HSS Journal, an academic peer-reviewed journal, is published twice a year, February and September, and features articles by internal faculty and HSS alumni that present current research and clinical work in the field of musculoskeletal medicine performed at HSS, including research articles, surgical procedures, and case reports.

Posted: 2/1/2011