Greher, M; Moriggl, B; Curatolo, M; Kirchmair, L; Eichenberger, U (2010). Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. British journal of anaesthesia, 104(5), pp. 637-42. Oxford: Oxford University Press 10.1093/bja/aeq052
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BACKGROUND: Local anaesthetic blocks of the greater occipital nerve (GON) are frequently performed in different types of headache, but no selective approaches exist. Our cadaver study compares the sonographic visibility of the nerve and the accuracy and specificity of ultrasound-guided injections at two different sites. METHODS: After sonographic measurements in 10 embalmed cadavers, 20 ultrasound-guided injections of the GON were performed with 0.1 ml of dye at the classical site (superior nuchal line) followed by 20 at a newly described site more proximal (C2, superficial to the obliquus capitis inferior muscle). The spread of dye and coloration of nerve were evaluated by dissection. RESULTS: The median sonographic diameter of the GON was 4.2 x 1.4 mm at the classical and 4.0 x 1.8 mm at the new site. The nerves were found at a median depth of 8 and 17.5 mm, respectively. In 16 of 20 in the classical approach and 20 of 20 in the new approach, the nerve was successfully coloured with the dye. This corresponds to a block success rate of 80% (95% confidence interval: 58-93%) vs 100% (95% confidence interval: 86-100%), which is statistically significant (McNemar's test, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that the GON can be visualized using ultrasound both at the level of the superior nuchal line and C2. This newly described approach superficial to the obliquus capitis inferior muscle has a higher success rate and should allow a more precise blockade of the nerve.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesiology (DINA) > Clinic and Policlinic for Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy |
UniBE Contributor: |
Eichenberger, Urs |
ISSN: |
0007-0912 |
Publisher: |
Oxford University Press |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Jeannie Wurz |
Date Deposited: |
04 Oct 2013 14:08 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 14:00 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1093/bja/aeq052 |
PubMed ID: |
20299347 |
Web of Science ID: |
000276736800017 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.7892/boris.545 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/545 (FactScience: 199717) |
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