title: Ultrasound as the only nerve localization technique for peripheral nerve block.
abstract: Ultrasound facilitates the performance of peripheral nerve blocks and may increase block quality parameters. In this report, we show that ultrasonographic guidance makes peripheral nerve blocks possible in patients in whom the traditional methods of nerve localization are limited. Four cases are described in which conventional end points for successful blocks would have been impossible to use, whereas ultrasound guidance was successful and safe. The latter method increases applicability in a larger group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Medical Centre, Institute for Anesthesiology, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, The Netherlands. g.vangeffen@anes.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Geert J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: van Geffen
authors.forename: Colin J L
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.forename: Vincent W S
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D008012:Lidocaine