Open AccessUltrasound-guided Suprascapular Nerve Block Technique
Author(s) -
Dominic Harmon Fcarcsi
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pain physician
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2150-1149
pISSN - 1533-3159
DOI - 10.36076/ppj.2007/10/743
Subject(s) - medicine , suprascapular nerve , ultrasound , transducer , nerve block , radiology , scapula , biomedical engineering , anatomy , brachial plexus , acoustics , physics
Background: In this article, we describe a case report of using real-time, high-resolution ultrasound guidance to facilitate blockade of the suprascapular nerve. We describe a case report and technique for using a portable ultrasound scanner (38 mmbroadband (13-6 MHz) linear array transducer (SonoSite Micromaxx SonoSite, Inc.21919 30th Drive SE Bothwell W. A..)) to guide suprascapular nerve block.Methods: A 44-year old male patient presented with severe, painful osteoarthritiswith adhesive capsulitis of his right shoulder. The ultrasound transducer in a transverse orientation was placed over the scapular spine. Moving the transducer cephalad the suprascapular fossa was identified. While imaging the supraspinatus muscle and the bony fossa underneath, the ultrasound transducer was moved laterally(maintaining a transverse transducer orientation) to locate the suprascapular notch.The suprascapular nerve was seen as a round hyperechoic structure at 4 cm depthbeneath the transverse scapular ligament in the scapular notch. The nerve had an approximate diameter of 200 mm. Real-time imaging was used to direct injection in thescapular notch. Ultrasound scanning confirmed local anesthetic spread.Results: The patient’s pain intensity decreased. Shoulder movement and functionimproved. These improvements were maintained at 12 weeks.Conclusion: Ultrasound guidance does not expose patients and personnel to radiation. It is also less expensive than other imaging modalities. This technique has applications in both acute and chronic pain management.Key words: Technique, visualization, real-time, Ultrasound,nerve, analgesia.