Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2005
Morphologic analysis of bipolar radiofrequency lesions: implications for treatment of the sacroiliac joint.
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction is an important cause of mechanical low-back pain. Bipolar radiofrequency ablation has been proposed as a long-lasting treatment for pain in patients with SI dysfunction who report temporary pain relief with local-anesthetic injection into the joint. No data are available to guide the technical aspects of bipolar radiofrequency lesion creation. This study documents the optimal spacing of cannulae and time required to produce bipolar lesions by use of radiofrequency technology. ⋯ Bipolar radiofrequency treatment creates continuous "strip" lesions proportional in size to the distance between the probes when the distance between cannulae is 6 mm or less. Spacing the cannulae 4 to 6 mm apart and treating at 90 degrees C for 120 to 150 seconds maximizes the surface area of the lesion.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2005
Case ReportsUse of stellate ganglion block to salvage an ischemic hand caused by the extravasation of vasopressors.
This case report describes the successful use of early stellate ganglion block to salvage an acutely ischemic hand caused by the extravasation of vasopressors. ⋯ Stellate ganglion block may prove to be an early measure in the treatment of upper-extremity ischemia caused by vasopressor extravasation.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2005
The musculocutaneous nerve: ultrasound appearance for peripheral nerve block.
To gain complete anesthesia of the forearm, block of the musculocutaneous nerve is necessary. Variations in its course and position make localization of the musculocutaneous nerve problematic. The aim of the study is to describe the ultrasound appearance of the musculocutaneous nerve in the axilla and to suggest potential areas to target neural block. ⋯ Knowledge of its ultrasound appearance facilitates localization and successful block of the musculocutaneous nerve. Because the distance between the musculocutaneous nerve and brachial plexus varies, different locations of musculocutaneous nerve puncture during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia can be chosen.