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Spinal Needles (spinal + needle)
Selected AbstractsElectron microscopy evaluation of block needle-related trauma to the tibial nerveACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010K. S. MACDONALD Background: Direct puncture by a needle is a risk factor for nerve damage. This investigation used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to attempt to visualize the damage caused by different needles. Method: A 15 cm section of the tibial nerve was removed from the ankle of a patient undergoing below-the-knee amputation. The nerve specimen was punctured perpendicular to the fibers once by each of four needles: an insulated 22 G short-beveled (30°), a 25 G long-beveled Quincke spinal needle, an 18 G Tuohy, and a 25 G Whitacre pencil point. The distal and proximal ends on either side of the needles were marked and the nerve was sectioned into 0.5 cm pieces. Each sample was preserved and then prepared for SEM. The needle tract was observed for evidence of mechanical damage at magnifications between × 47 and × 102 using SEM. Results: The epineurium, perineurium, fascicles, endoneurium, and vessels were identified in each sample. In both the short-beveled and the Whitacre samples, all fascicles along with the surrounding perineurium were intact. In both the Tuohy and the Quincke samples, obvious transection of fascicles and disruption of the perineurium were observed. Conclusions: This investigation suggests that both the Tuohy and the Quincke needles may be more likely to cause trauma to the tibial nerve than either the short-beveled or the Whitacre needles. [source] Sonographically guided percutaneous sclerosis using 1% polidocanol in the treatment of vascular malformationsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 7 2002Rajeev Jain MD Abstract Purpose The aim of this prospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous injection of 1% polidocanol for sclerosis of peripheral vascular malformations. Methods Patients with vascular malformations of soft tissues were invited to enroll in the study. Gray-scale and color Doppler sonography were performed to determine the texture, margins, and size of the lesions and to determine whether high-velocity blood flow was present. Using real-time sonographic guidance, lesions were punctured with a 20/21-gauge spinal needle. When possible, venous return was occluded before injection. For each injection, 1,6 ml of 1% polidocanol was injected into 1 or more sites within the lesion. The sclerosing agent was not aspirated after injection. Repeat radiography was performed 1 month after each injection session. The procedure was repeated if the patient did not have a complete response, defined as an 80% or greater decrease in the volume of the lesion or resolution of the presenting symptoms. Results Of the 15 patients enrolled, 9 had venous malformations, 3 had lymphangiomas, 1 had a recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 had a venous pseudoaneurysm, and 1 had an arteriovenous malformation of the pinna. Each patient received 1,20 injections of 1% polidocanol (mean ± standard deviation, 3.3 ± 4.8 injections). This treatment resulted in a complete response of 7 venous malformations, 3 lymphangiomas, and the arteriovenous malformation and partial response of 2 venous malformations, the recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst, and the venous pseudoaneurysm. Only minor complications occurred. Conclusions Sonographically guided percutaneous injection of 1% polidocanol for sclerosis of peripheral vascular lesions is simple, effective, and safe. This technique is especially effective in cases of soft tissue venous malformation and lymphangioma. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 30:416,423, 2002 [source] A pilot study of patient-led identification of the midline of the lumbar spineANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2002J. S. Wills Summary The midline of the lumbar spine is usually identified by palpation of the spinous processes. Placement of an epidural or spinal needle is more difficult when these bony landmarks are impalpable. This pilot study investigated the ability of 50 healthy volunteers to identify the midline of their own backs, using light touch or proprioception. The midline as identified in this manner was compared with the ,gold standard' as defined by the interspinous line. Sensation to light touch was the most accurate, with 90% of the volunteers able to identify the midline to within 6.5 mm. Proprioception using a finger to touch the midline was less accurate. This study was carried out on volunteers with palpable spinous processes but suggests that, in certain circumstances, a patient-led identification of the midline may be of value. [source] Should drug-pre-filled syringes be made available with disposable spinal needles?ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2008J. Lal No abstract is available for this article. [source] Does the bevel orientation of spinal needles matter?ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2006R. J. Defalque No abstract is available for this article. [source] Posture-related distribution of hyperbaric bupivacaine in cerebro-spinal fluid is influenced by spinal needle characteristicsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2001C. Mardirosoff Background: No studies have evaluated the relationship between duration of time sitting and spinal needle type on the maximal spread of local anaesthetics. The few trials available have studied the influence of time spent sitting on the spread of anaesthesia without standardising spinal needle types, and have not found any effect. Methods: In this randomised, blinded study, 60 patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs were divided into 4 groups. With the patient sitting erect, 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine were injected in a standard manner through a 24G Sprotte or a 27G Whitacre needle and patients were placed supine after 1 min (24G/1 group and 27G/1 group) or 4 min (24G/4 group and 27G/4 group). Results: Time to achieve maximum block height after injection was similar in all groups. Block height levels were significantly lower at all time points for the 24G/4 group. Maximum block heights were Th4 in the 24G/1, 27G/1 and 27G/4 groups, and Th6 in the 24G/4 group (P<0.0001). Conclusion: In a standard spinal anaesthesia procedure, when different lengths of time spent sitting are compared, spinal needle characteristics influence the maximum spread of hyperbaric bupivacaine. However, within the limits of our study, a two-segment difference in block height is too small to consider using spinal needles as valuable tools to control block height during spinal anaesthesia in our daily practice. [source] Length of spinal needlesANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2008J. Corfe No abstract is available for this article. [source] Model for Ultrasound-Assisted Lumbar Puncture TrainingACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2009Melissa Bollinger Lumbar puncture is an important diagnostic procedure in emergency medicine. Data have been published showing improved success rate with ultrasound assistance and the ability of emergency medicine physicians to recognize sonographic lumbar spinous anatomy. However, with educational models and the push for improved patient safety, procedural skills should be practiced on phantoms rather than the "see one, do one, teach one" of the past. There are no currently available phantoms for ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture training. We have produced a phantom that can be used to train physicians on ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture with respect to both imaging and procedural competency. A plastic fluid-filled bladder was immersed in gelled opacified mineral oil, a safe and easily used tissue mimic that obscures direct visualization of structures. Spinous anatomy is replicated with the use of wooden struts supporting wooden disks that mimic lumbar spinous processes. The spine analog was mounted over the plastic bladder and surrounded with gelled mineral oil. The phantom produces images similar to human lumbar anatomy. The phantom allows insertion of spinal needles into the "interspinous spaces" with inability to pass the needle outside of those locations. Fluid collection and repeated punctures can be performed on the phantom. Appearance and performance of the phantom were evaluated by physicians with expertise in ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture. The only limitation is that external appearance is not realistic. This model performs well, is made from readily available materials, and can be used to train physicians in ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture. [source] |