The Utility of Peripheral Nerve Blocks in Interventional Radiology

Nanotherapeutics for Alleviating Anesthesia-Associated Complications

Current management of anesthesia-associated complications falls short in terms of both efficacy and safety. Nanomaterials with versatile properties and unique nano-bio interactions hold substantial promise as therapeutics for addressing these complications. This review conducts a thorough examination of the existing nanotherapeutics and highlights the strategies for developing prospective nanomedicines to mitigate anesthetics-related toxicity. Initially, general, regional, and local anesthesia along with the commonly used anesthetics and related prevalent side effects are introduced. Furthermore, employing nanotechnology to prevent and alleviate the complications of anesthetics is systematically demonstrated from three aspects, that is, developing 1) safe nano-formulization for anesthetics; 2) nano-antidotes to sequester overdosed anesthetics and alter their pharmacokinetics; 3) nanomedicines with pharmacodynamic activities to treat anesthetics toxicity. Finally, the prospects and challenges facing the clinical translation of nanotherapeutics for anesthesia-related complications are discussed. This work provides a comprehensive roadmap for developing effective nanotherapeutics to prevent and mitigate anesthesia-associated toxicity, which can potentially revolutionize the management of anesthesia complications.

Hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after costoclavicular approach versus other brachial plexus blocks in upper limb surgery: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The costoclavicular brachial plexus block (CCB) is a recently established technique that uses the infraclavicular approach and is performed just below the clavicle. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether CCB can reduce the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (HDP), which is a major adverse event related to brachial plexus block (BPB), while yielding comparable block performance as other BPB techniques.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases to identify relevant studies that compared the incidence of HDP between CCB and other BPB techniques. The primary outcome was the incidence of HDP following CCB and other BPB techniques. The secondary outcomes were pulmonary function test results, other adverse events, and block performance parameters such as onset and performance time.

RESULTS

We included six randomized controlled trials that included 414 patients. Compared with the other BPB group, the CCB group had a significantly lower incidence of HDP (relative ratio: 0.21, 95% CI [0.12, 0.36], P < 0.001) and higher peak expiratory flow rate (mean difference: 0.68 L/s, 95% CI [0.13, 1.23], P = 0.015). There were no significant between-group differences with respect to other adverse events and block performance parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with other BPB techniques, CCB involves a lower incidence of HDP with comparable onset and performance time.

Neurological pain relief interventional radiology procedures

Neurological interventions have taken on a significant role in interventional radiology (IR) practice. Indications fall under three main categories: (1) intraprocedural pain management, (2) cancer pain palliation, and (3) chronic non-cancer pain control. Short-term regional anaesthesia can be achieved with local anaesthetics, while longer-term pain control can be attained with radiofrequency neuromodulation (pulsed or otherwise) or thermal/chemical neurolysis. This review article summarises the therapeutic options, applications, and techniques of commonly used peripheral nerve and plexus interventions in IR.

Ultrasound-guided nerve block prior to biopsy of suspected neurogenic tumors: safety and feasibility in a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided nerve block prior to biopsy of potentially neurogenic tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical record from June 2017 to June 2022 identified ultrasound-guided biopsies of potentially neurogenic tumors that were performed with a pre-procedural nerve block. Patient demographics, biopsy site, number of passes, needle gauge, use of sedation, pathology results, and procedural complications were recorded and summarized.

RESULTS

The structured search found 16 patients that underwent biopsies of 18 potentially neurogenic tumors with the use of a pre-procedural nerve block at a variety of upper and lower extremity locations. Average patient age was 52 (range 18-78) and 9 patients (56%) were female. Of the 16 patients, 10 were performed without intravenous sedation. Three patients were unable to tolerate biopsy until a nerve block was used. All biopsies yielded a diagnostic sample with 13 of the tumors neurogenic in origin. One patient reported mild postprocedural pain which resolved with conservative treatment; no other complications were reported.

CONCLUSION

Nerve block prior to ultrasound-guided biopsy of potentially neurogenic tumors is a safe and feasible technique. Further study is needed to determine the extent to which nerve block can decrease intra-procedural pain and reduce or eliminate the need for sedation during biopsy.

US for Traumatic Nerve Injury, Entrapment Neuropathy, and Imaging-guided Perineural Injection

US is commonly performed to help diagnose traumatic peripheral nerve injury and entrapment neuropathy, particularly with superficial nerves, where higher spatial resolution provides an advantage over MRI. Other advantages of US include dynamic evaluation, easy contralateral comparison, fewer implant contraindications, less artifact from ferromagnetic debris, and facile needle guidance for perineural injections. The authors review peripheral nerve US for traumatic peripheral nerve injury with an emphasis on injury grading and entrapment neuropathy and describe best-practice techniques for US-guided perineural injections while highlighting specific techniques and indications. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2022.

Ultrasound-Guided Phrenic Nerve Block for Lung Nodule Biopsy: Single-Center Initial Experience

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Biopsy of lung nodules in the lower lung fields can be difficult because of breathing motion. Ipsilateral phrenic nerve block (PNB) before biopsy should make the biopsy safer, easier, and more precisely targeted. We describe the use of ultrasound-guided PNB before lung nodule biopsy, including relevant anatomy and variations, complications, and technique, along with our first 40 cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PNB before computed tomography (CT)- or ultrasound-guided lung nodule biopsy from April 2015 through March 2020. Patient demographics, CT fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, complications, diagnostic yield, and effectiveness of PNB were recorded. Effectiveness of PNB was based on direct observation of diaphragmatic motion. Control group data for biopsies during the same time frame were collected and matched with nodules ≤1 cm from the PNB group.

RESULTS

Among 40 patients identified, no complications occurred related to the PNB. Mean (SD) nodule size was 12.4 (6.2) mm. True-positive results were obtained in 39 patients (98%), with 1 false-negative after an ineffective PNB. PNB was effective in 70%. When CT fluoroscopy was used for the biopsy, radiation dose was significantly lower after an effective PNB than an ineffective PNB (p < .001). Effective PNB was significantly more common with injection of ≥4 mL of local anesthetic (p = .01). Comparison with 19 matched controls showed significantly fewer instances of pneumothorax (p = .02) and greater diagnostic success (p = .03) for the PNB group.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided PNB is safe and effective and can improve outcomes when used before lung nodule biopsy.

Current trends and perspectives in interventional radiology for gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers often require a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, endoscopists, oncologists, and interventional radiologists to diagnose and treat primitive cancers, metastases, and related complications. In this context, interventional radiology (IR) represents a useful minimally-invasive tool allowing to reach lesions that are not easily approachable with other techniques. In the last years, through the development of new devices, IR has become increasingly relevant in the context of a more comprehensive management of the oncologic patient. Arterial embolization, ablative techniques, and gene therapy represent useful and innovative IR tools in GI cancer treatment. Moreover, IR can be useful for the management of GI cancer-related complications, such as bleeding, abscesses, GI obstructions, and neurological pain. The aim of this study is to show the principal IR techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of GI cancers and related complications, as well as to describe the future perspectives of IR in this oncologic field.

The Current Practice of Spinal Anesthesia in Anesthetists at a Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Single Center Observational Study

Background

Spinal anesthesia block is the most widely practiced anesthesia technique due to its safety margin. It is an invasive procedure that could be associated with a variety of complications like total spinal, cardiovascular collapse, meningitis, paralysis, and even death. The aim of this study to assess the current practice of spinal anesthesia.

Methods

A Cross-sectional study design was conducted in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 01 to December 15, 2020. All anesthesia professionals who are working in the study Hospital were surveyed by the Purposive sampling technique. A standardized structured checklist prepared from recommendations of New York school of regional anesthesia guideline regarding the current Practice of spinal anesthesia was used to collect the data after taking written informed consent. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the results.

Results

A total of 24 anesthetists were observed of their practice before, during, and after administer of spinal anesthesia. All of the anesthetists were practicing the preparation and assembling of all necessary anesthesia equipments, resuscitation drugs, and basic monitors while all of the anesthetists did not wash their hands, wore a sterile gown, and draped the back of the patient with fenestrated drapes in a sterile fashion.

Conclusion

Most of the anesthesiology professionals in our setting have a good preparation of all necessary anesthesia equipments, and resuscitation drugs, while the assessment of patient’s emotional reaction and pain during injection, the skin preparation allowed to being dry and assessment of the degree of sensory and motor block of the patient were insufficient.

Chest wall - underappreciated structure in sonography. Part I: Examination methodology and ultrasound anatomy

Chest wall ultrasound has been awarded little interest in the literature, with chest wall anatomy described only in limited extent. The objective of this study has been to discuss the methodology of chest wall ultrasound and the sonographic anatomy of the region to facilitate professional evaluation of this complex structure. The primarily used transducer is a 7–12 MHz linear one. A 3–5 MHz convex (curvilinear) transducer may also be helpful, especially in obese and very muscular patients. Doppler and panoramic imaging options are essential. The indications for chest wall ultrasound include localized pain or lesions found or suspected on imaging with other modalities (conventional radiography, CT, MR or scintigraphy). The investigated pathological condition should be scanned in at least two planes. Sometimes, evaluation during deep breathing permits identification of pathological mobility (e.g. in rib or sternum fractures, slipping rib syndrome). Several structures, closely associated with each other, need to be considered in the evaluation of the chest wall. The skin, which forms a hyperechoic covering, requires a high frequency transducer (20–45 MHz). The subcutaneous fat is characterized by clusters of hypoechoic lobules. Chest muscles have a very complex structure, but their appearance on ultrasound does not differ from the images of muscles located in other anatomical regions. As far as cartilaginous and bony structures of the chest are concerned, the differences in the anatomy of the ribs, sternum, scapula and sternoclavicular joints have been discussed. The rich vascular network which is only fragmentarily accessible for ultrasound assessment has been briefly discussed. A comprehensive evaluation of the chest wall should include the axillary, supraclavicular, apical and parasternal lymph nodes. Their examination requires the use of elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound.