Sonographic Estimation of Needle Depth for Cervical Epidural Blocks

• DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e318168b6a8
• Publication Date: 2008-04-16T07:04:05Z
• Authors: Soo Hwan Kim; Kang Hun Lee; Kyung Bong Yoon; Woo Young Park; Duck-Mi Yoon
• Keywords: Adult; Epidural Space; Male; Ligamentum Flavum/diagnostic imaging; 610; Injections, Epidural; Epidural Space/diagnostic imaging; Injections; 618; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 80 and over; Humans; Nerve Block/adverse effects; Aged; Ultrasonography; Aged, 80 and over; Epidural*/adverse effects; Nerve Block; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Analgesia, Epidural; Ligamentum Flavum; Cervical Vertebrae; Dura Mater/diagnostic imaging; Female; Dura Mater; Analgesia; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging*; Nerve Block/methods*

Cervical epidural steroid injections are often used to treat acute and chronic pain syndromes involving the face, neck, upper extremities. Ultrasound has evolved as a valuable tool for performing neuraxial blocks, providing useful prepuncture information on structure. Our goal was evaluate accuracy precision of ultrasound by comparing skin dura distance from with actual depth.We enrolled 50 patients undergoing cervical blocks at clinic. images transverse longitudinal median views C6/7 area were taken. The needle inserted, reproducing direction beam view. Measured distances each view compared depth. Additionally, we examined visibility, number puncture attempts, any complications related procedure.Concordance correlation coefficients between measured depth 0.9272 0.9268 view, respectively. block successfully performed 48 (96%). There two incidents (4%) dural puncture. No bloody taps, postprocedure complications, or hemodynamic instability occurred.Ultrasound provides very accurate in spine. Knowledge preview spinal anatomy before can more safely identify space.