Abstract
The use of real-time ultrasound guidance has revolutionized the practice of regional anesthesia. Ultrasound is rapidly becoming the technique of choice for nerve blockade due to increased success rates, faster onset, and potentially improved safety. In the course of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, unexpected pathology may be encountered. Such anomalous or pathological findings may alter the choice of nerve block and occasionally affect surgical management. This case series presents a variety of musculoskeletal conditions that may be encountered during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia practice.
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Acknowledgment
The authors wish to thank Mr. James Liang, BMSc, Research Fellow, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto for his assistance in formatting and editing of images during the preparation of this manuscript.
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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the reporting of these cases, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participating in the study was obtained.
Level of evidence: level IV: retrospective case series evidence
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Macfarlane, A.J.R., Sites, B.D., Sites, V.R. et al. Musculoskeletal Sonopathology and Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia. HSS Jrnl 7, 64–71 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-010-9174-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-010-9174-z