Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Mar 2016
ReviewThe Requisites of Needle-to-Nerve Proximity for Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia: A Scoping Review of the Evidence.
This scoping review examines the literature to determine whether the position of the needle tip relative to the target nerve is accurately and reliably detected during ultrasound (US)-guided regional anesthesia. The requisites for successful and safe needle tip positioning relative to the target nerve include accurate and reliable needle presentation by the machine, needle interpretation by the operator, nerve presentation by the machine, and nerve interpretation by the operator. ⋯ The acoustic resolution of modern portable US machines limits the extent to which nerve microanatomy can be reliably presented. Finally, our interpretation of the sonographic end points for local anesthetic injection that best balance success and safety for US-guided regional anesthesia continues to evolve.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Mar 2016
Case ReportsAcute Vision Loss Secondary to Epidural Blood Patch: Terson Syndrome.
Lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) is a commonly used procedure to treat postdural puncture headache. We present a case of vision loss immediately following an EBP. ⋯ This patient developed Terson syndrome as an immediate EBP complication. Iatrogenic Terson syndrome has been previously described with epidural space saline and anesthetic injections, but not EBP. Of 11 reported cases, 10 were female, and 9 had complete vision recovery. Previous studies have demonstrated that epidural space injection increases subarachnoid pressure in a volume- and rate-dependent fashion. An abrupt increase in subarachnoid space pressure likely led to retinal hemorrhage by compromising retinal venous drainage. This is the first known case of Terson syndrome caused by EBP. Injectate volume should be minimized, and a slow rate of injection pursued. The anesthesiologist, pain interventionist, and ophthalmologist should be aware of this rare but disabling complication and consider taking extra precautions when consenting patients for EBP with vision compromise or comorbidities concerning for elevated intracranial pressure.
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Intrathecal (IT) drug delivery systems (IDDSs) have been valuable in managing refractory chronic cancer and noncancer pain for more than 3 decades. These devices, time tested and overall reliable, have lately been noted at this institution to cease infusing unexpectedly. If not immediately recognized and rectified, this abrupt malfunction may lead to significant patient harm. ⋯ Higher rates of device failure are associated with the use of off-label IT drugs. However, device failure may still occur while infusing only approved medications. Implanted patients should be properly informed and educated to differentiate and recognize the critical error alarm of their device as well as the signs and symptoms of IT medication overdose and withdrawal.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Mar 2016
Real-Time Detection of Periforaminal Vessels in the Cervical Spine: An Ultrasound Survey.
Compared with the thoracic and lumbar spine, transforaminal epidural injections and medial branch blocks in the cervical spine are associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications. Accidental breach of small periforaminal arteries has been implicated in many instances. In this observational study, using ultrasonography, we surveyed the incidence of periforaminal bloods vessels in the cervical spine. ⋯ Small periforaminal arteries are prevalent along the lateral aspect of the cervical spine, adjacent to areas commonly targeted by nerve block procedures. Further trials are required to determine if ultrasound guidance can reduce the incidence of complications related to accidental vascular breach.