Brachial plexuses of 110 healthy volunteers were examined using high resolution color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasonic characteristics and anatomic variation in the intervertebral foramen, interscalene, supraclavicular ...Brachial plexuses of 110 healthy volunteers were examined using high resolution color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasonic characteristics and anatomic variation in the intervertebral foramen, interscalene, supraclavicular and infraclavicular, as well as the axillary brachial plexus were investigated. Results confirmed that the normal brachial plexus on cross section exhibited round or elliptic hypoechoic texture. Longitudinal section imaging showed many parallel linear hypo-moderate echoes, with hypo-echo. The transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra, the scalene space, the subclavian artery and the deep cervical artery are important markers in an examination. The display rates for the interscalene, and supraclavicular and axillary brachial plexuses were 100% each, while that for the infraclavicular brachial plexus was 97%. The region where the normal brachial plexus root traversed the intervertebral foramen exhibited a regular hypo-echo. The display rate for the C5-7 nerve roots was 100%, while those for C8 and T1 were 83% and 68%, respectively. A total of 20 of the 110 subjects underwent cervical CT scan. High-frequency ultrasound can clearly display the outline of the transverse processes of the vertebrae, which were consistent with CT results. These results indicate that high-frequency ultrasound provides a new method for observing the morphology of the brachial plexus. The C~ vertebra is a marker for identifying the position of brachial plexus nerve roots.展开更多
Background The use of traditional techniques （such as landmark techniques, paresthesia and peripheral nerve stimulator） for upper-limb anesthesia has often been restricted to the expert or enthusiast, which was blin...Background The use of traditional techniques （such as landmark techniques, paresthesia and peripheral nerve stimulator） for upper-limb anesthesia has often been restricted to the expert or enthusiast, which was blind. Recently, ultrasound （US） has been applied to differ blood vessel, pleura and nerve, thus may reduce the risk of complications while have a high rate of success. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of ultrasound guidance （vs. peripheral nerve stimulator, （PNS）） decreases risk of vascular puncture, risk of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis and risk of Homer syndrome and improves the success rate of nerve block. Methods A search strategy was developed to identify randomized control trials （RCTs） reporting on complications of US and PNS guidance for upper-extremity peripheral nerve blocks （brachial plexus） in adults available through PubMed databases, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase databases, SinoMed databases and Wanfang data （date up to 2011-12-20）. Two independent reviewers appraised eligible studies and extracted data. Risk ratios （OR） were calculated for each outcome and presented with 95% confidence intervals （CI） with the software of Review Manager 5.1.0 System （Cochrane Library）. Results Sixteen trials involving 1321 adults met our criteria were included for analysis. Blocks performed using US guidance were more likely to be successful （risk ratio （RR） for block success 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.56, P 〈0.00001）, decreased incidence of vascular puncture during block performance （RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.06-0.27, P 〈0.00001）, decreased the risk of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis （RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.03-0.52, P=-0.0001）. Conclusions US decreases risks of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis or vascular puncture and improves success rate of brachial plexus nerve block compared with techniques that utilize PNS for nerve localization. Larger studies are needed to determine whether or not the use of US can decrease risk of neurologic complications.展开更多
Multifocal motor neuropathy(MMN)is the one of the most common acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system.The diagnosis is based on the distribution pattern of the neurological sem...Multifocal motor neuropathy(MMN)is the one of the most common acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system.The diagnosis is based on the distribution pattern of the neurological semiology and the pathological changes of nerve conduction studies(NCS)in classical cases.However,in cases with subtle clinical presentation,an extended diagnostic workup may be needed,such as cerebrospinal fluid examination,laboratory tests,and nerve biopsy.NCS remain nowadays fundamental not only for the diagnosis,but also for the follow-up and measurement of response to immune-treatment in MMN.New challenges arose though,on how best to acquire a static and dynamic imaging of the peripheral nerves,aiming to provide a holistic approach to the nerve impairment.According to the literature,neuromuscular ultrasound is able to detect in MMN patients thickened or swollen cervical roots,peripheral nerves or brachial plexus,findings that suggest ongoing inflammation.This review provides a timely update on the nerve ultrasound findings in MMN.展开更多
基金funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Higher Learning Schools of Youth Teacher Education Program of Sun Yat-sen University in 2009,No.09YKPY05the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.S2011010004708
文摘Brachial plexuses of 110 healthy volunteers were examined using high resolution color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasonic characteristics and anatomic variation in the intervertebral foramen, interscalene, supraclavicular and infraclavicular, as well as the axillary brachial plexus were investigated. Results confirmed that the normal brachial plexus on cross section exhibited round or elliptic hypoechoic texture. Longitudinal section imaging showed many parallel linear hypo-moderate echoes, with hypo-echo. The transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra, the scalene space, the subclavian artery and the deep cervical artery are important markers in an examination. The display rates for the interscalene, and supraclavicular and axillary brachial plexuses were 100% each, while that for the infraclavicular brachial plexus was 97%. The region where the normal brachial plexus root traversed the intervertebral foramen exhibited a regular hypo-echo. The display rate for the C5-7 nerve roots was 100%, while those for C8 and T1 were 83% and 68%, respectively. A total of 20 of the 110 subjects underwent cervical CT scan. High-frequency ultrasound can clearly display the outline of the transverse processes of the vertebrae, which were consistent with CT results. These results indicate that high-frequency ultrasound provides a new method for observing the morphology of the brachial plexus. The C~ vertebra is a marker for identifying the position of brachial plexus nerve roots.
文摘Background The use of traditional techniques （such as landmark techniques, paresthesia and peripheral nerve stimulator） for upper-limb anesthesia has often been restricted to the expert or enthusiast, which was blind. Recently, ultrasound （US） has been applied to differ blood vessel, pleura and nerve, thus may reduce the risk of complications while have a high rate of success. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of ultrasound guidance （vs. peripheral nerve stimulator, （PNS）） decreases risk of vascular puncture, risk of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis and risk of Homer syndrome and improves the success rate of nerve block. Methods A search strategy was developed to identify randomized control trials （RCTs） reporting on complications of US and PNS guidance for upper-extremity peripheral nerve blocks （brachial plexus） in adults available through PubMed databases, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase databases, SinoMed databases and Wanfang data （date up to 2011-12-20）. Two independent reviewers appraised eligible studies and extracted data. Risk ratios （OR） were calculated for each outcome and presented with 95% confidence intervals （CI） with the software of Review Manager 5.1.0 System （Cochrane Library）. Results Sixteen trials involving 1321 adults met our criteria were included for analysis. Blocks performed using US guidance were more likely to be successful （risk ratio （RR） for block success 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.56, P 〈0.00001）, decreased incidence of vascular puncture during block performance （RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.06-0.27, P 〈0.00001）, decreased the risk of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis （RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.03-0.52, P=-0.0001）. Conclusions US decreases risks of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis or vascular puncture and improves success rate of brachial plexus nerve block compared with techniques that utilize PNS for nerve localization. Larger studies are needed to determine whether or not the use of US can decrease risk of neurologic complications.
文摘Multifocal motor neuropathy(MMN)is the one of the most common acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system.The diagnosis is based on the distribution pattern of the neurological semiology and the pathological changes of nerve conduction studies(NCS)in classical cases.However,in cases with subtle clinical presentation,an extended diagnostic workup may be needed,such as cerebrospinal fluid examination,laboratory tests,and nerve biopsy.NCS remain nowadays fundamental not only for the diagnosis,but also for the follow-up and measurement of response to immune-treatment in MMN.New challenges arose though,on how best to acquire a static and dynamic imaging of the peripheral nerves,aiming to provide a holistic approach to the nerve impairment.According to the literature,neuromuscular ultrasound is able to detect in MMN patients thickened or swollen cervical roots,peripheral nerves or brachial plexus,findings that suggest ongoing inflammation.This review provides a timely update on the nerve ultrasound findings in MMN.
