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Development and Validation of a New Technique for Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block
  1. Michael Gofeld, MD*,
  2. Anuj Bhatia, MD,
  3. Sherif Abbas, MD,
  4. Sugantha Ganapathy, MD§ and
  5. Marjorie Johnson, PhD
  1. From the *Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA;
  2. University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre;
  3. GE Healthcare Canada, Mississauga;
  4. §University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre; and
  5. ||Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
  1. Address correspondence to: Michael Gofeld, MD, University of Washington, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Room EE122F, Box 356044, Seattle, WA 98195 (e-mail: gofeld{at}u.washington.edu).

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Although the stellate ganglion is located anteriorly to the first rib, anesthetic block is routinely performed at the C6 level. Ultrasonography allegedly improves accuracy of needle placement and spread of injectate. The technique is relatively new, and the optimal approach has not been determined. Moreover, the location of the cervical sympathetic trunk relative to the prevertebral fascia is debatable.

Methods: Three-dimensional sonography was performed on 10 healthy volunteers, and image reconstruction was completed. On the basis of analysis of pertinent anatomy, a lateral trajectory for needle placement was simulated. Accuracy was tested by injection of methylene blue in cadavers. A clinical validation study was then conducted. A block needle was inserted according to the predetermined lateral path, and 5 mL of a mixture of bupivacaine and iohexol was injected. Spread of the contrast agent was verified fluoroscopically.

Results: Image reconstruction revealed that the cervical sympathetic trunk is located posterolaterally to the prevertebral fascia on the surface of the longus colli muscle. The mean anteroposterior width of the muscle at the C6 level was 11 mm. The lateral approach does not interfere with any visceral or nerve structures. Anatomic dissection in cadavers confirmed entirely subfascial spread of the dye and staining of the sympathetic trunk. The contrast agent spread was seen in all patients between the C4 and T1 levels in a typical prevertebral pattern.

Conclusions: This study revealed that, at the C6 level, the cervical sympathetic trunk lies entirely subfascially. Subfascial injection via the lateral approach ensures reliable spread of a solution to the stellate ganglion.

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Footnotes

  • This study was presented as a Best of Meeting Abstract at the Fall ASRA Meeting, November 20, 2008.