臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤的超声诊断

目的探讨高频超声在诊断臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤中的价值。方法用高频超声检查和诊断6例创伤性臂丛神经损伤与3例臂丛神经肿瘤，随机选择12例健康成年人作为正常对照组，观察臂丛神经的正常超声图像。结果高频超声显示斜角肌间隙和锁骨下动脉是臂丛神经检查的重要解剖标志，正常臂丛神经长轴显示多条线性平行回声，短轴呈圆形中等回声，内有点状弱回声，C5-7和上、中干显示率为100％（12／12），C8、T1和下干显示率为83．3％（10／12）。6例臂丛神经损伤显示神经增粗水肿，部分正常束状回声消失或不连续，内部点线回声不清，呈略低回声与周围软组织粘连。3例臂丛神经肿瘤显示为实性瘤样低回声与臂丛神经相连续，其内有血流信号，其中2例为超声检查最早诊断。结论高频超声可作为检查臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤的首选方法，值得临床推广应用。     

彩色多普勒超声描记臂丛神经

目的 通过高清晰超声检查显示臂丛神经形态。方法 应用10MHz高频彩色多普勒超声对8例健康志愿者行双侧臂丛检查，确认其与周围组织解剖定位关系。结果 所有志愿者的臂丛神经均得到了较好的显示，C7锥体横突、锁骨下动脉和颈深动脉是描记中重要的标志。结论 彩色多普勒超声可以显示臂丛神经的形态，可以提高其对臂丛损伤的诊断。     

周围神经损伤的B超诊断

目的探讨Ｂ超对周围神经损伤的诊断价值。方法对１１例尸体标本和３０名健康自愿者的周围神经作Ｂ超检查，两者进行对照后获得人体正常周围神经的声像图。临床应用４２例周围神经损伤，于术前行Ｂ超检查，并用术中病理学检测结果来证实其诊断价值。结果正常周围神经的纵切面表现为中等回声管状结构，内有线性平行回声；横断面呈圆形或椭圆形内有点状回声。神经完全或部分损伤时，其连续性完全或部分中断，损伤区为无回声或低回声，近端有稍增强的神经瘤回声影。当神经粘连或受压时，神经走行弯曲，周围组织回声发生改变，神经界限不清晰。Ｂ超诊断与病理检测结果的符合率达８１％。结论Ｂ超对周围神经损伤有较好的诊断学价值     

高频彩色多普勒超声在桥本甲状腺炎诊断中的价值

目的:通过对桥本甲状腺炎(HT)超声声像图特点的分析,探讨高频彩色超声对该病的诊断价值。方法:用高频彩色超声对713例HT患者的甲状腺进行检查,分析声像图特点,并进行分类、对比分析。结果:根据超声图像特点将713例患者分为五种类型,轻微病变型256例,局灶回声减低型32例,弥漫回声减低型229例,结节型142例,萎缩型或弥漫纤维化型54例。结论:HT的超声声像图表现有一定的特异性,临床结合超声检查有助于明确诊断,以避免不必要的手术干预。     

高频超声检查在上肢神经损伤中的临床应用

目的 探讨高频超声检查在上肢神经损伤中的应用价值.方法 对31例临床确诊为上肢单根神经损伤患者,根据超声检查分成保守治疗组和手术治疗组.手术组(19例)均行神经探查修复术,并以术中探查结果为准计算术前超声的诊断符合率;保守治疗组(12例)和手术组术后均予口服营养神经药物治疗,定期随访超声检查.结果 保守治疗组早期超声图像表现:神经走行弯曲,但神经外膜清晰可见,局部水肿.手术组术前超声图像表现:神经回声带连续性部分中断或完全中断,损伤区为无回声或低回声结构,神经近端直径增粗.手术组与超声诊断完全符合15例,符合率为78.9%;保守治疗组中10例神经功能恢复良好,2例保守治疗无效而行手术治疗.结论 高频超声检查对上肢周围神经损伤有很好的临床应用价值,并对临床治疗和随访有指导意义.     

针刺手三里穴位动态超声显像

目的动态观察手三里穴位在针刺条件下的超声影像学解剖特征。方法选取健康志愿者15名,采用高频超声观察针灸针刺入受试者双侧手臂手三里穴后针尖的位置,以及针刺过程中与得气相关的解剖学结构。结果针刺15名受试者双侧手三里穴共30个穴位点均得气,针尖位置:桡侧腕伸肌13个,桡侧腕伸肌与旋后肌间筋膜9个,旋后肌浅层2个,旋后肌内筋膜4个,旋后肌深层1个,桡骨表面1个。28个(28/30,93.33%)针尖位于筋膜旁及筋膜集中处获得较强得气感、2个(2/30,6.67%)针尖位于较浅层即可获得较强得气感。高频超声可以清楚显示针尖点附近筋膜内的细小神经,二维声像图表现:桡神经深支沿着筋膜发出许多细小的分支,横断面声像图上呈筛孔样、回声较周围筋膜组织稍低。结论高频超声可以实时、动态、清楚地显示针刺点附近筋膜及筋膜内的细小神经分布,并可对针灸位置进行定量测定。     

超声检查对迟发性尺神经炎的应用研究

目的 探讨超声影像学对迟发性尺神经炎的研究价值.方法 对15例迟发性尺神经炎患者(损伤组)和40例健康成年人(对照组)行肘部尺神经多普勒超声检查,观察其声像图的改变,对其前后径、横径进行对照分析,并对损伤组患者行尺神经松解手术.结果 健康成年人与迟发性尺神经炎患者,二者肘部尺神经超声声像图结构特征有明显的差异,后者的强回声环增厚,与神经束相应的蜂窝状的强回声呈偏心分布,而低回声背景内有增粗的血管出现.两组肘部尺神经前后径、横径的比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).手术发现15例中14例肘部尺神经局部增粗,神经外膜增厚,神经束变细,束间水肿.结论 高频多普勒超声可作为迟发性尺神经炎的一种很好的临床检查手段.     

乳腺叶状肿瘤的超声特征与病理结果对比分析

目的探讨不同病理类型的乳腺叶状肿瘤（PTB）的超声声像图特征。方法回顾分析16例PTB二维及彩色多普勒超声声像图表现。结果按WHO分类标准,16例PTB分为良性12例、交界性（低度恶性）2例、恶性2例;其中7例伴发乳腺纤维腺瘤,包括6例良性、1例交界性PTB。PTB声像图均表现为边界清晰。良性PTB声像图表现为形态规则或欠规则,内部回声均匀或不均匀,少部分后方回声增强。交界性及恶性PTB声像图表现为形态规则、不规则或欠规则,内部呈囊实性回声或回声不均匀,后方回声增强。16例PTB均未见钙化。结论不同病理类型的PTB声像图有一定特征,认识这些特征有助于PTB的鉴别诊断。     

高频彩色多普勒超声在白线疝诊断中的应用

目的探讨研究高频彩色多普勒超声在白线疝诊断中的应用价值。 方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2014年12月解放军总医院24例经外科手术证实为白线疝患者的临床资料和声像图表现。 结果术前高频彩色多普勒超声检查发现，疝的发生部位均位于剑突与脐孔之间的腹壁中线处，腹白线缺损处（疝环）直径0.4～2.8 cm，疝囊大小（1.1 cm×0.3 cm×1.0 cm）～（8.0 cm×3.1 cm×7.2 cm），疝囊形态多不规则，疝囊内回声因内容物不同而表现不同，主要分为3类，第1类内容物为腹膜外脂肪，声像图表现为较均匀或不均匀的低回声，第2类内容物主要为网膜，声像图表现为中等稍低回声，第3类内容物主要为肠管，声像图表现为疝囊内可见肠管样回声，动态观察并可见其蠕动。 结论高频彩色多普勒超声可以清楚地显示腹白线的连续性情况、测量缺损的直径、疝囊的大小、判断疝的内容物以及有无嵌顿疝等情况，并具备无损伤、廉价、可重复性好、可动态观察等优势，对于白线疝的诊断有很好的敏感性和特异性，因此对白线疝的临床诊断具有非常重要的价值。     

皮下海绵状血管瘤的超声诊断及意义

目的 总结超声检查对皮下海绵状血管瘤的诊断价值和临床意义.方法 采用高频探头对9例皮下海绵状血管瘤患者进行扫查,主要观察其形态及内部回声等,并结合扪诊进行分析诊断.结果 9例病例声像图表现为含小腔的混合性结构,呈低回声或无回声区,内可见有高回分隔.除血栓性血管瘤可能有后部回声衰减,其余血管瘤的回声一般规则、清晰,透声性...     

Brachial plexus examination and localization using ultrasound and electrical stimulation: a volunteer study

BACKGROUND: Current techniques of brachial plexus block are "blind," and nerve localization can be frustrating and time consuming. Previous studies on ultrasound-assisted brachial plexus blocks are mostly performed with scanning probes of 10 MHz or less. The authors tested the usefulness of a state-of-the-art, high-resolution ultrasound probe (up to 12 MHz) in identifying the brachial plexus in five locations of the upper extremity and in guiding needle advancement to target before nerve stimulation. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 15 volunteers underwent brachial plexus examination using an L12-L5 MHz probe and a Philips-ATL 5000 ultrasound unit in the interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, axillary, and midhumeral regions. Thereafter, an insulated block needle was advanced under direct ultrasound guidance to target nerves before confirmation by electrical nerve stimulation in five volunteers in each of the interscalene, supraclavicular, and axillary regions. The quality of brachial plexus images, anatomic variations, and the technique of needle advancement for nerve localization were recorded. RESULTS: The brachial plexus components were successfully identified in the transverse view as round to oval hypoechoic structures with small internal punctuate echos in all regions examined except the infraclavicular area (visualized in 27% of the cases). The authors' technique of advancing the needle in-line with the ultrasound beam allowed moment-by-moment observation of the needle shaft and tip movement at the time of nerve localization. Hypoechoic structures were stimulated electrically and confirmed to be nerves. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data show that the high-resolution L12-L5 probe provides good quality brachial plexus ultrasound images in the superficial locations i.e., the interscalene, supraclavicular, axillary, and midhumeral regions. The needle technique described here for ultrasound-assisted nerve localization provides real-time guidance and is potentially valuable for brachial plexus blocks.     

Brachial Plexus Examination and Localization Using Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulation: A Volunteer Study

Background: Current techniques of brachial plexus block are "blind," and nerve localization can be frustrating and time consuming. Previous studies on ultrasound-assisted brachial plexus blocks are mostly performed with scanning probes of 10 MHz or less. The authors tested the usefulness of a state-of-the-art, high-resolution ultrasound probe (up to 12 MHz) in identifying the brachial plexus in five locations of the upper extremity and in guiding needle advancement to target before nerve stimulation.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 15 volunteers underwent brachial plexus examination using an L12-L5 MHz probe and a Philips-ATL 5000 ultrasound unit in the interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, axillary, and midhumeral regions. Thereafter, an insulated block needle was advanced under direct ultrasound guidance to target nerves before confirmation by electrical nerve stimulation in five volunteers in each of the interscalene, supraclavicular, and axillary regions. The quality of brachial plexus images, anatomic variations, and the technique of needle advancement for nerve localization were recorded.

Results: The brachial plexus components were successfully identified in the transverse view as round to oval hypoechoic structures with small internal punctuate echos in all regions examined except the infraclavicular area (visualized in 27% of the cases). The authors' technique of advancing the needle in-line with the ultrasound beam allowed moment-by-moment observation of the needle shaft and tip movement at the time of nerve localization. Hypoechoic structures were stimulated electrically and confirmed to be nerves.     

薄层连续MRI扫描描记臂丛神经

目的 通过薄层连续MRI扫描显示臂丛神经形态。方法 采用1．5-T MRI(GE，Signa)对6例健康志愿者行双侧臂丛神经斜矢状位和冠状位扫描，确认其与周围组织解剖定位关系，并观察其走行和分支情况。结果 所有志愿者的臂丛神经均得到了较好的显示，斜矢状位T2加权压脂可明显显示臂丛神经及部分神经束，特别是神经根出口处可以得到很好的显示。结论 薄层连续MRI扫描可以显示臂丛神经的形态，可以提高其对臂丛损伤的诊断。     

Intraoperative imaging of the brachial plexus by high-resolution ultrasound

The authors attempted to perform direct high resolution ultrasound imaging of the intraneural ultrastructure of the brachial plexus for intraoperative image guidance in brachial plexus surgery. The brachial plexuses of four fresh-frozen cadaver specimens were surgically exposed in a standard approach used in routine brachial plexus surgery to undergo direct ultrasound examination using a 15 MHz SonoCT scanhead. By placing the scanhead directly onto the epineurium, all components of the brachial plexus were directly visualized in an axial plane and compared with histologic findings. The internal neural structure at different levels could be visualized in high resolution, showing the specific fascicular pattern. The histologic processing revealed good correlation with the intraneural topography demonstrated on ultrasound. In the study, high resolution ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus showed substantial details of the ultrastructure of neural tissue, which may play a role in intraoperative image guidance in the surgical treatment of patients with brachial plexopathy.     

Applying ultrasound imaging to interscalene brachial plexus block

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have examined ultrasound-assisted brachial plexus blocks, but few have applied this imaging technology to the interscalene region. We report a case of interscalene brachial plexus block using ultrasound guidance to show the clinical usefulness of this technology. CASE REPORT: A nerve stimulator-guided interscalene block was attempted for arthroscopic shoulder surgery but failed. Subsequent nerve localization was accomplished by ultrasound imaging using a high-frequency probe (5-12 MHz) and the Philips ATL HDI 5000 unit. Ultrasound showed nerves between the scalene muscles, block needle movement at the time of advancement, and local anesthetic spread during injection. Interscalene block was successful after 1 attempt of nerve localization and needle placement. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced ultrasound technology is useful for nerve localization and can generate brachial plexus images of high resolution in the interscalene groove, guide block needle placement and advancement in real time to targeted nerves, and assess adequacy of local anesthetic spread at the time of injection. Ultrasound imaging guidance can potentially improve success during interscalene brachial plexus block.     

Anatomical study of the brachial plexus using surface ultrasound

The aim of this study was to define the anatomy relevant to brachial plexus regional anaesthesia and to identify the extent of variation between individuals. Surface ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus was performed on twenty volunteers. In the axilla there was considerable individual variation in the location of the median, radial and ulnar nerves in relation to the axillary artery. There was often more than one venous structure in this region, which was easily compressed by surface palpation. In the supraclavicular region, neural elements were located inferiorly to the subclavian artery in two volunteers. In one volunteer, a vein was identified between nerve trunks in the interscalene region. These findings indicate that the anatomical variation is considerable, even within the relatively small sample studied. For this reason, use of surface ultrasound may lead to increased success of brachial plexus regional anaesthesia and a decreased risk of intravascular injection.     

Comparative evaluation of ultrasound-guided continuous infraclavicular brachial plexus block with stimulating catheter and traditional technique: a prospective-randomized trial

Background: Secondary catheter failure has been reported in up to 40% of patients with continuous peripheral nerve blocks resulting in failure to provide pain relief after the initial block wears off. Introduction of stimulating catheters as well as ultrasound for regional anaesthesia has facilitated correct placement of catheter tip, closer to the plexus. This randomized study was conducted to compare the efficacy of continuous infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks using non-stimulating catheter, stimulating catheter and ultrasound-guided catheter placement with nerve stimulation assistance.
Methods: Patients undergoing elective hand surgery were randomly allocated to receive continuous infraclavicular brachial plexus block using non-stimulating catheter [group traditional nerve stimulation (TR)], stimulating catheter [group stimulating catheter (ST)] or ultrasound-guided catheter placement with nerve stimulation assistance [group ultrasound guidance with nerve stimulation assistance (US)]. Motor and sensory blocks were assessed every 5 min and primary block success was determined at 30 min. After resolution of the primary block, threshold stimulating current and resulting response, spread of drug on re-injection as seen ultrasonographically and the capacity to re-establish block was documented. Complications and need for supplement was noted.
Results: The primary block success was significantly higher in the US group [96% US, 58% ST, 59% TR ( P =0.0005)]. Secondary catheter failure was significantly lower in the US group [9% US, 17% ST, 86% TR ( P <0.0001)]. Axillary nerve was blocked more predictably in the US group (100% US, 79% ST, 50% TR ( P =0.0003).
Conclusion: In this study, ultrasound guidance with nerve stimulation assistance significantly improved primary success and reduced secondary catheter failure in continuous infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks.     

Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

In this study, we evaluated state-of-the-art ultrasound technology for supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in 40 outpatients. Ultrasound imaging was used to identify the brachial plexus before the block, guide the block needle to reach target nerves, and visualize the pattern of local anesthetic spread. Needle position was further confirmed by nerve stimulation before injection. The block technique we describe aligned the needle path with the ultrasound beam. The block was successful after one attempt in 95% of the cases, with one failure attributable to subcutaneous injection and one to partial intravascular injection. Pneumothorax did not occur. Our preliminary data suggest that a high-resolution ultrasound probe can reliably identify the brachial plexus and its neighboring structures in the supraclavicular region. The technique of real-time guidance during needle advancement can quickly localize nerves. Distinct patterns of local anesthetic spread observed on ultrasound can further confirm accurate needle location. IMPLICATIONS: Real-time ultrasound imaging during supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks can facilitate nerve localization and needle placement and examine the pattern of local anesthetic spread.     

The sheath of the brachial plexus: fact or fiction?

BACKGROUND: The concept of the axillary "sheath" has been a central tenet of brachial plexus regional anesthesia for many years. Recent investigations have cast doubt on its nature and existence. This study further examines the issue. METHODS: Computerized axial tomographic dye studies were performed using continuous catheter systems for the sciatic nerve and the brachial plexus. The resultant images were compared and contrasted. RESULTS: The images of the two catheter systems were the same, with the exception that one was of the upper extremity and the other was of the lower extremity. CONCLUSIONS: The sciatic nerve is not surrounded or enveloped by a "sheath"--it lies in the tissue plane between rigid anatomical structures. Similarly, the brachial plexus lies in the tissue plane between the rigid anatomy of the chest wall, scapula, humerus, and pectoral fascia. This finding is inconsistent with the concept of the axillary sheath.