["Dual Guidance"? - parallel combination of ultrasound-guidance and nerve stimulation - Contra].

Sonography is a highly user-dependent technology. It presupposes a considerable degree of sonoanatomic and sonographic knowledge and requires good practical skills of the examiner. Sonography allows the identification of the puncture target, observes the needle feed and assesses the spread pattern of the local anesthetic in real time.

Morphological macrovascular alterations in complex regional pain syndrome type I demonstrated by increased intima-media thickness.

Background: Although intima-media thickness (IMT) was increased in several inflammatory diseases, studies investigating whether the inflammatory processes lead to macrovascular alteration with increased IMT in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) lack.

Methods: Using ultrasound (high-resolution B-mode), we compared bilaterally the IMT of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT), the radial artery (RA-IMT), the brachial artery (BRA-IMT) and the quotient QRA/CCA, in CRPS type I (n=17), peripheral nerve injury (PNI, n=17) and pain-free controls (PFC, n=22, matched to CRPS by gender, age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors).

Statistics: Spearman's correlation, paired t-test, ANOVA (p<0.

Relationship of the internal jugular vein to the common carotid artery: implications for ultrasound-guided vascular access.

Background And Objective: For cannulation of the internal jugular vein (IJV), ultrasound increases the number of first pass successes and reduces the rate of mechanical complications. A frequent complication of IJV access is the accidental injury of the common carotid artery (CCA), which can be dangerous in some circumstances. Landmarks and palpation of the CCA are used when ultrasound is not available.

Ultrasound characteristics of needles for regional anesthesia.

Background And Objectives: Needle visibility is a crucial requirement for successful and safe ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. We performed a prospective study on the ultrasonic imaging quality of various commercially available needles. We tested the hypothesis that different nerve block needles would have different ultrasonic appearances.

Ultrasound imaging in vascular access.

Physicians spend a considerable amount of time and effort inserting catheters and needles into patients. Central venous catheters are the mainstay of measuring hemodynamic variables that cannot be assessed by noninvasive procedures. These catheters also allow hemodialysis, parenteral nutritional support, delivery of medications, and catecholamine administration.