The relationship of the musculocutaneous nerve to the brachial plexus evaluated by MRI.

Axillary plexus blocks (AXB) are widely used for upper limb operations. It is recommend that AXB should be performed using a multiple injection technique. Information about the course and position of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) is of relevance for AXB performance.

MRI of axillary brachial plexus blocks: a randomised controlled study.

Background: Axillary plexus blocks are usually guided by ultrasound, but alternative methods may be used when ultrasound equipment is lacking. For a nonultrasound-guided axillary block, the need for three injections has been questioned.

Objectives: Could differences in block success between single, double and triple deposits methods be explained by differences in local anaesthetic distribution as observed by MRI?

Design: A blinded and randomised controlled study.

High-resolution MRI demonstrates detailed anatomy of the axillary brachial plexus. A pilot study.

Background: Axillary block is the most commonly performed brachial plexus block and may be guided by nerve stimulation or ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be beneficial in presenting anatomy of interest for regional anaesthesia and in demonstrating spread of local anaesthetic. The aim of this pilot study was to demonstrate the anatomy as shown by MRI of the brachial plexus in the axillary region.

Human skin microcirculation after brachial plexus block evaluated by wavelet transform of the laser Doppler flowmetry signal.

Background: The skin microcirculation may be evaluated noninvasively by laser Doppler flowmetry and iontophoresis with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Wavelet transform of the perfusion signal shows periodic oscillations of five characteristic frequencies in the interval 0.0095-1.