title: Anatomic variation of subclavian artery visualized on ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
abstract: Use of ultrasonography for performance of nerve and plexus blocks has made the process simpler and safer. However, at times, variant anatomy of the visualized structures can lead to failure of blocks or complications such as intravascular injections. This is especially true in case of novice operators. We report a case of a variant branch of subclavian artery, possibly the dorsal scapular artery passing through the brachial plexus nerve bundles in the supraclavicular area. Since this variation in anatomy was visualized in the scout scan prior to the performance of the block, it was possible to avoid any accidental puncture. Hence, a thorough knowledge of the ultrasound anatomy is important in order to identify various aberrations and variations. It is also prudent to perform a preliminary scan, prior to performance of the block to localize the target area and avoid any inadvertent complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors.forename: Santvana
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1410-6933
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohli
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3052-8899
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors.forename: Arunima
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
authors.forename: Sumantra Sarathi
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Banerjee