The use of intraoperative ultrasound by anesthesiologists to facilitate the surgical management of peripheral nerve tumors of the upper extremity.
BACKGROUND
Traditional uses of ultrasound by anesthesiologists include transesophageal echocardiography, facilitation of vascular access, and guidance of peripheral nerve blocks.


METHODS
In this case series, we report a novel application of ultrasound by anesthesiologists to facilitate the operative dissection of upper extremity peripheral nerve tumors.


RESULTS
In four cases, ultrasound was used to intraoperatively locate the tumor, plan the safest surgical approach, and exclude tumor vascularity.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound can be used by anesthesiologists to facilitate the surgical management of peripheral nerve tumors.
Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA. brian.sites@hitchcock.org
Brian D
BD
Sites
Susan
S
Durham
John D
JD
Gallagher
Marc L
ML
Bertrand
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods*; D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010820:Physicians; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery