• Brian Chanpong, Raymond Tang, Andrew Sawka, Claudia Krebs, and Himat Vaghadia.
• Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. brian@chanpong.com
• Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Feb 1;115(2):272-6.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to develop a methodological technique for the ultrasonographic visualization of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) using a novel hockey stick-shaped 8- to 15-MHz transducer in volunteers, followed by simulated IAN scanning and injection in cadavers.Study DesignIn 20 volunteers, bilateral scans of the IAN nerve were performed with a systematic technique. We recorded times to scan each side and sonographic visibility of the IAN. In 3 cadavers, bilateral scans of the IAN were performed, followed by simulated injection with dye.ResultsThe IAN was visible in all 40 scans. Mean scanning times were 19.6 seconds (range: 4-54 seconds) for the left side and 30.5 seconds (range: 6-116 seconds) for the right side. In 5 cadaver injections, dye was correctly deposited onto the IAN with the ultrasound technique.ConclusionsWe hypothesize that ultrasound-guided IAN block may be feasible in humans using our technique.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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