Is there a place for ultrasound in neuraxial anesthesia?. (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brinkmann, Silke; Germain, Geneviève; Sawka, Andrew; Tang, Raymond; Vaghadia, Himat
• Is Part Of: Imaging in medicine. Volume 5:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: epidural anesthesia -- neuraxial anesthesia -- spinal anesthesia -- ultrasonography -- ultrasound; Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; 616.075405
• DOI: 10.2217/iim.13.14
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-5205

Abstract

This article addresses how ultrasonography, which is commonly used by anesthesia providers for regional anesthesia as well as for vascular access, may be useful for neuraxial anesthesia. It begins with an overview of the uses of ultrasonography by anesthesiologists and the evolution of equipment, followed by its uses in preprocedural and real-time ultrasonography for neuraxial anesthesia. It includes a critical review of the limitations of this technology and describes future trends regarding its use. The aim of this article is to discuss the introduction and the place of ultrasonography in neuraxial anesthesia for day-to-day practice as well as for complex cases. This will focus on two main topics: preprocedural ultrasound scanning as well as real-time ultrasound scanning. It will also provide an overview of the evolving technology in this area and a critical appraisal of the current and future use of ultrasonography in neuraxial anesthesia. It will hopefully help the reader appreciate both the shortcomings and potential benefits of this technology for use in neuraxial anesthesia.