title: Needle visualization in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia: challenges and solutions.
abstract: Needle visualization is important for safe and successful ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block. However, accurate and consistent visualization of the needle tip can be difficult to achieve. This review article describes many of the challenges affecting needle visualization, summarizes the relevant literature on ultrasound imaging of needles, and offers practical strategies for improving needle tip visibility. Finally, future directions for research and development are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Ki Jinn
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Anahi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perlas
authors.forename: Vincent W S
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brull
mesh_terms: D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*