Anest. intenziv. Med. 2011;22(4):204-208

Superficial and interfascial cervical block - MRI studyAnaesthesiology - Original Paper

Nalos Daniel^1,*, Bejšovec David¹, Nováková Martina², Derner Milouš³, Mach Dušan^4,5

¹ Dept. of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Masaryk Hospital, Ústí nad Labem, Krajská zdravotní, a. s., Czech Republic.

² Faculty of Biomedicine Engineering, Czech Technical University Prague

³ Dept. of Radiology, Masaryk Hospital, Ústí nad Labem, Krajská zdravotní, a. s., Czech Republic

⁴ Musgrave Park Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK

⁵ Dept. of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic

Objective:
The aim of the study was to clarify the distribution of injected solution during superficial and medial cervical plexus block.

Design:
Prospective MRI study on volunteers.


Setting:
Tertiary Hospital, Depts. of Radiology and Anaesthesiology.

Materials and methods:
Total 12 volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a simulation of a superficial cervical plexus block or a simulation of a medial cervical plexus block. The distribution of the solution was verified by MRI.

Results:
Superficial cervical block: In four volunteers the solution was distributed in the interfascial space but did not reach the front part of the space. In two cases the solution did not reach the investing fascia. Medial block: The administered solution was found in the whole interfascial space in all volunteers.

Conclusion:
We speculate that the solution leak into the interfascial space during superficial cervical plexus block can explain its effectiveness for carotid endarterectomy. The medial block ensures constant filling of the interfacial space.

Keywords: anaesthesia; local anaesthesia; nerve block; cervical plexus; MRI

Received: May 4, 2011; Accepted: June 26, 2011; Published: August 1, 2011  Show citation