Abstract
Objective
To describe a novel in-plane ultrasound (US)-guided approach to the sixth (C6), seventh
(C7), eighth (C8) cervical and to the first thoracic (T1) spinal nerves.
Study design
Prospective, descriptive, experimental anatomic study.
Animals
A total of seven canine Beagle cadavers.
Methods
Phase 1: One cadaver was used to define bony landmarks for the C6-T1 spinal nerves
using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. An US transducer was
positioned lateral to the C6 vertebra. Methylene blue (0.05 mL kg−1) was injected cranial and caudal to the transverse process of C6. The probe was moved
caudally to identify the cranial costal fovea of T1 and 0.1 mL kg−1 of methylene blue was injected. Full cadaver dissection was performed to assess the
staining of the spinal nerves.
Phase 2: The technique was repeated using a 50:50 mixture of iohexol and methylene
blue in six dogs. CT verified the proximity of contrast to C6, C7, C8 and T1 nerves.
Mediastinal, epidural, intravascular and pleural contamination was recorded. Methylene
blue staining of the phrenic nerve was assessed by dissection.
Results
Phase1: The identified bony landmarks were the lamina ventralis of C6, the transverse
process of C6 and C7, T1 vertebra and the first rib. Phase 2: At all the 12 sites,
the C6, C7 and C8 nerves were in contact with contrast material. Contrast was demonstrated
in close proximity to the anatomical location of the T1 nerve in 11/12 sites. Mediastinal,
epidural and intravascular contamination was observed in six, four and two cadavers,
respectively. Pleural contamination was not observed. The phrenic nerve was stained
on 2/12 of sides.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
In-plane US-guided blockade of the spinal roots is a feasible technique. However,
because of the undesirable spreads of contrast, further research is needed to diminish
the occurrence of contaminations of noble structures.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 15, 2017
Accepted:
August 28,
2017
Received:
November 29,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
