title: Fortuitous Diagnosis of Preexisting Neuropathy During Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia Performance: A Case Report.
abstract: Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia requires the anesthesia provider to interpret new information. This article reports on the case of a 38-year-old man scheduled for a fifth metacarpal fracture repair. Ultrasound nerve examination revealed abnormal pathology of the axillary brachial plexus consisting of an increased volume of the terminal nerves of the brachial plexus. Ultrasound scanning initiated the subsequent diagnosis of multifocal motor neuropathy. Regional anesthesia was abandoned in favor of general anesthesia. Ultrasonography training needs to be expanded in the coming years to include awareness of the abnormal pathology, as it might impact the choice of anesthetic procedure and patient outcome.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Anesthesia, Clinique Medipole Garonne, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basset
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marquis
authors.forename: Medhi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merouani
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rontes
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delbos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside