Abstract
Objective
To describe an ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block in canidae.
Study design
Prospective, experimental, cadaveric study.
Animals
Twelve thawed fox cadavers.
Methods
A 15 MHz linear transducer was used to visualize the paravertebral space at the level
of the fifth thoracic vertebrae. Iohexol (300 mg mL−1) at 0.2 mL kg−1 was injected into the right and left paravertebral spaces under ultrasound guidance
using a Tuohy needle. The needle was advanced in a lateral to medial direction using
an in-plane technique. Injections were performed by two operators, each performing
12 injections in six fox cadavers. A thoracic computed tomography was then performed
and evaluated by a single operator. The following features were recorded: paravertebral
contrast location (yes/no), length of contrast column (number of intercostal spaces),
location of contrast relative to the fifth thoracic vertebrae (cranial/caudal/mixed),
epidural contrast contamination (yes/no), pleural contrast contamination (yes/no)
and mediastinal contrast contamination (yes/no).
Results
All injections resulted in paravertebral contrast distribution (24/24). The mean length
of the contrast column was five intercostal spaces. Contrast spread was caudal to
the injection site in 54% (7/24), cranial in 29% (4/24) and mixed in 17% (3/24). Pleural
contamination was observed in 50% (12/24) of injections; 42% (10/24) and 4% (1/24)
of the injections resulted in mediastinal and epidural contamination, respectively.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
Injection of the paravertebral space in canidae is possible using the technique described.
Possible complications include epidural, pleural and mediastinal contamination. To
establish clinical efficacy and safety of this technique, further studies are required.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 22, 2017
Accepted:
June 28,
2016
Received:
February 5,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
