• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

Background: Recently, ultrasound has been commonly used. Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) by posterior approach is more commonly used because anterior approach has been reported to have the risk of phrenic nerve injury. However, posterior approach also has the risk of causing nerve injury because there are risks of encountering dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) and long thoracic nerve (LTN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of encountering DSN and LTN during ultrasound-guided IBPB by posterior approach. Methods: A total of 70 patients who were scheduled for shoulder surgery were enrolled in this study. After deciding insertion site with ultrasound, awake ultrasound-guided IBPB with nerve stimulator by posterior approach was performed. Incidence of muscle twitches (rhomboids, levator scapulae, and serratus anterior muscles) and current intensity immediately before muscle twitches disappeared were recorded. Results: Of the total 70 cases, DSN was encountered in 44 cases (62.8%) and LTN was encountered in 15 cases (21.4%). Both nerves were encountered in 10 cases (14.3%). Neither was encountered in 21 cases (30.4%). The average current measured immediately before the disappearance of muscle twitches was 0.44 mA and 0.50 mA at DSN and LTN, respectively. Conclusions: Physicians should be cautious on the risk of injury related to the anatomical structures of nerves, including DSN and LTN, during ultrasound-guided IBPB by posterior approach. Nerve stimulator could be another option for a safer intervention. Moreover, if there is a motor response, it is recommended to select another way to secure better safety.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2013

Purpose: We wanted to compare the accuracy between the blind anterior approach and ultrasound guided posterior approach, which are preferred in the present clinical practice for the glenohumeral joint injection. Materials and Methods: The consecutive 95 cases were included in that the glenohumeral joint injection was done in the university hospital and the medical record and ultrasonography were available. There were 52 cases which were injected by blind anterior approach (group I) and 43 cases who were injected by ultrasound guided posterior approach (group II). The injection was decided as accurate if the fluid was visualized in the posterior joint under the ultrasound. We evaluated the range of motion before and after 2 weeks of injection. A subjective satisfaction of the patients was interviewed at the 2 weeks after injection. Results: The accuracy of the glenohumeral joint injections of the group I and group II was 80.8% and 90.7%, respectively. The range of motion was improved for the all cases regardless of the approaches. At the 2 weeks after injection, the subjective satisfaction (better than good) was achieved in 73.7%. Conclusion: The accuracy of the blind anterior approach for the glenohumeral joint injection was 80.8%. The accuracy of the ultrasound guided posterior approach was 90.7%. In this comparative study by the one physician, the ultrasound guided posterior approach showed the better accuracy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.197-200
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• 2005

Objective: Ultrasound can be used in the treatment of large intracerebral hematoma. The authors present our experiences with Ultrasound-guided catheter placement for lysis and drainage of ganglionic hematoma, with emphasis on technical aspects. Methods: The authors applied real-time ultrasonography for the aspiration of intracerebral hematoma in 6cases. Ultrasound-guided aspiration via a burrhole was performed under local anesthesia. We selected a temporal entry point instead of the frequently used precoronal approach in ganglionic hematoma. A burrhole was made 4 to 6cm posterior from posterior border of frontal process of the zygomatic bone at the level of 4 to 5cm above the external auditory meatus. Results: In all patients, the catheter was placed accurately into the hematoma target. All patients were irrigated with urokinase once to three times a day. The catheter could be removed within two or three days. The mean hematoma volume was reduced from initially 32mL to 5mL in an average of two days. There were no intraoperative complications related to the use of real-time ultrasonography and no postoperative infections were noted. Conclusion: Ultrasound allows an easy and precise localization of the hematoma and the distance from the surface to the target can be calculated. Ultrasound-guided catheter placement for fibrinolysis and hematoma drainage is a simple and safe procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.383-386
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• 2014

Objective : Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation often requires prompt surgical treatment to prevent neurological deterioration and permanent deficits. Anterior approaches offer direct visualization and access to the herniated disc and anterior dura but require access surgeons and are often associated with considerable postoperative pain and pulmonary complications. A disadvantage with using posterior approaches in the setting of central calcified thoracic disc herniation however, has been the limited visualization of anterior dura and difficulty to accurately assess the extent of decompression. Methods : We report our experience with intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance during a modified posterior transpedicular approach for removal of a central calcified thoracic disc herniation with a review of pertinent literature. Results : The herniated thoracic disc was successfully removed with posterior approach with the aid of intraoperative US. The patient had significant neurological improvement at three months follow-up. Conclusion : Intraoperative ultrasound is a simple yet valuable tool for real-time imaging during transpedicular thoracic discectomy. Visualization provided by intraoperative US increases the safety profile of posterior approaches and may make thoracotomy unnecessary in a selected group of patients, especially when a patient has existing pulmonary disease or is otherwise not medically fit for the transthoracic approach.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2023

Background: Ultrasound-guided first sacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (S1 TFESI) is a useful and easily applicable alternative to fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) in lumbosacral radiculopathy. When a needle approach is used, poor visualization of the needle tip reduces the accuracy of the procedure, increasing its difficulty. This study aimed to improve ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI by evaluating radiological S1 posterior foramen data obtained using three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). Methods: Axial 3D-CT images of the pelvis were retrospectively analyzed. The radiological measurements obtained from the images included 1st posterior sacral foramen depth (S1D, mm), 1st posterior sacral foramen width (S1W, mm), the angle of the 1st posterior sacral foramen (S1A, °), and 1st posterior sacral foramen distance (S1ds, mm). The relationship between the demographic factors and measured values were then analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients (287 male and 345 female) were examined. The mean S1D values for males and females were 11.9 ± 1.9 mm and 10.6 ± 1.8 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean S1A 28.2 ± 4.8° and 30.1 ± 4.9°, respectively (P < 0.001); and the mean S1ds, 24.1 ± 2.9 mm and 22.9 ± 2.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); however, the mean S1W values were not significantly different. Height was the only significant predictor of S1D (β = 0.318, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI performance and safety may be improved with adjustment of needle insertion depth congruent with the patient's height.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2019

Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility of ultrasound-guided lumbar nerve root block (LNRB) and S1 nerve root block by identifying spread patterns via fluoroscopy in cadavers. Method: A total of 48 ultrasound-guided injections were performed in 4 fresh cadavers from L1 to S1 roots. The target point of LNRB was the midpoint between the lower border of the transverse process and the facet joint at each level. The target point of S1 nerve root block was the S1 foramen, which can be visualized between the median sacral crest and the posterior superior iliac spine, below the L5-S1 facet joint. The injection was performed via an in-plane approach under real-time axial view ultrasound guidance. Fluoroscopic validation was performed after the injection of 2 cc of contrast agent. Results: The needle placements were correct in all injections. Fluoroscopy confirmed an intra-foraminal contrast spreading pattern following 41 of the 48 injections (85.4%). The other 7 injections (14.6%) yielded typical neurograms, but also resulted in extra-foraminal patterns that occurred evenly in each nerve root, including S1. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided injection may be an option for the delivery of injectate into the S1 nerve root, as well as lumbar nerve root area.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the optimal insertion angle between the skin and the needle in ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization with trauma patients. Methods: From March 2012 to December 2012, consecutive trauma patients who were planned to receive IJV catheterization were prospectively enrolled. We measured the distances from the skin to IJV's anterior-posterior (AP) vessel wall on the longitudinal scan's midline in supine-positioned patients. We calculated the AP diameter of IJV and the angle between skin and the imaginary line from the puncture site to the IJV's internal center on screen's midline (defined as optimal angle which is considered as the safest approach) on the longitudinal scan. We divided the patients into 3 groups based on the CVP (low CVP <5 $cmH_2O$, $5{\leq}$ middle CVP ${\leq}10\;cmH_2O$, and high CVP>10 $cmH_2O$) and compared their mean anterior posterior (AP) diameters and optimal angles. Results: A total of 56 patients were enrolled. Of these 21 were women(35.4%). The mean AP diameter of low CVP group was significantly lower than middle and high CVP groups($0.68{\pm}0.30$, $1.06{\pm}0.31$, and $1.23{\pm}0.49$ cm respectively, p=0.003 vs. 0.002). There was no significant difference among 3 groups' mean optimal angles ($28.1{\pm}6.1$, $30.1{\pm}4.5$, and $28.0{\pm}5.0$ degree respectively). Conclusion: The optimal angle between the skin and the needle in ultrasound-guided IJV catheterization with trauma patients is not changed as about 30 degrees regardless of CVP even though IJV's diameter is altered in proportion to the CVP.