Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
03:14
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Success of Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Anesthesia in Cases with Difficult Anatomy
Published on: January 31, 2025
2.2K
Enhanced visual acuity with echogenic needles in ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block: a randomized,
B Abbal1, O Choquet, A Gourari
1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital and University Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France - x-capdevila@chu-montpellier.fr.
Minerva Anestesiologica
|July 25, 2014
Summary
Enhanced echogenic needles improve ultrasound-guided nerve block procedures. At insertion angles of 30-45° and above, these needles significantly boost physician comfort, image quality, and needle visibility.
Area of Science:
- Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia
- Medical device technology
Background:
- Needle visibility is crucial for ultrasound-guided procedures.
- The effect of insertion angle on needle visibility has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of insertion angle on the visibility of echogenic and nonechogenic needles.
- To compare physician comfort and image quality between needle types across different insertion angles.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation in phantoms and patients undergoing axillary nerve blocks.
- Needles tested at insertion angles of 0-30°, 30-45°, and ≥ 45°.
- Objective and subjective assessments of needle and tissue visibility, comfort, and image quality.
Main Results:
- Echogenic needles showed significantly better physician comfort and image quality at 30-45° and ≥ 45° insertion angles.
- Improved needle tip/shaft visibility and percentage of complete visualization with echogenic needles at these angles.
- Conventional needles offered superior tissue visibility and sharpness.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced echogenicity significantly improves physician comfort, image quality, and needle visualization during ultrasound-guided procedures.
- Optimal performance for echogenic needles observed at insertion angles of 30-45° and ≥ 45°.
