title: A method for ultrasonographic visualization and injection of the superior laryngeal nerve: volunteer study and cadaver simulation.
abstract: Superior laryngeal nerve block is a valuable technique for provision of upper airway anesthesia. In bilateral scans of 20 volunteers, we developed a technique for ultrasonographic visualization of the superior laryngeal nerve and key anatomical structures using a hockey stick-shaped 8 to 15 MHz transducer (HST15 to 8/20 linear probe, Ultrasonix, Richmond, BC, Canada). Subsequently, we simulated superior laryngeal nerve scanning and injection in bilateral injections in 2 cadavers. Ultrasound-guided in-plane advancement of a needle toward the superior laryngeal nerve and injection of 1 mL of green dye was achieved in all 4 attempts and confirmed by a postprocedural dissection performed by an anatomist. We conclude that ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block in humans may be feasible.
authors: Department of Anesthesia, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada. balvindark@gmail.com
authors: Balvindar
authors: B
authors: Kaur
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Tang
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Sawka
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Krebs
authors: Himat
authors: H
authors: Vaghadia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006805:Human Experimentation; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes