A comparison of motor stimulation threshold in ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomized trial.

Background: As the use of ultrasound for regional anesthesia has increased, many studies have examined the distribution of local anesthetic and the location of the needle tip. Nevertheless, the relationship between motor stimulation threshold and distribution of local anesthetic is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare block onset time, distribution of local anesthetic, and location of the needle tip at two different motor stimulation thresholds, i.

Fluoroscopic analysis of lumbar epidural contrast spread after retrograde interlaminar ventral epidural injection (RIVEI).

Background: Retrograde interlaminar ventral epidural injection (RIVEI) may hypothetically be more effective if the catheter is placed at the ventrocaudal aspect of the exiting nerve. We tested that hypothesis by measuring ventral and dorsal epidural contrast flow during RIVEI.

Methods: To perform RIVEI, a 17 G Tuohy needle was inserted to access the epidural space.

Minimum current requirement for confirming the localization of an epiradicular catheter placement.

Background: Based on the necessity to confirm the epiradicular catheter misplacement, epiradicular threshold current for the confirmation of catheter tip localization is required.

Methods: Thirty-four adult patients with low extremity radiating pain were to receive epiradicular catheterization at the lumbosacral level. The epidural space was accessed percutaneously in cranial to caudal direction.

Ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block for patients with occipital headache and short term follow up.

Background: The greater occipital nerve (GON) block has been frequently used for different types of headache, but performed with rough estimates of anatomic landmarks. Our study presents the values of the anatomic parameters and estimates the effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided GON blockade.

Methods: The GON was detected using ultrasound technique and distance from external occipital protuberance (EOP) to GON, from GON to occipital artery and depth from skin to GON was measured in volunteers.

A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency denervation of the ramus communicans nerve for chronic discogenic low back pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation of the ramus communicans nerve in patients suffering from chronic discogenic low back pain.

Methods: Forty-nine patients who suffered chronic discogenic low back pain at only 1 painful vertebral level, and whose pain continued after undergoing intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty (IDET), were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The lesion group (n = 26) received RF thermocoagulation of the ramus communicans nerve.