Sonographic Detection of Musculocutaneous Nerve Clinical Trial
Official title:
Ultrasound Imaging of Musculocutaneous Nerve in Infants, Preschoolers and Children
Localizing the musculocutaneous nerve for neural blockade is crucial to achieve complete
anesthesia of the forearm. However, in pediatric anesthesiology, the musculocutaneous nerve
is unable to be blocked in up to 40-50% of cases when only neurostimulation is used, while
there is limited information regarding ultrasound imaging of the musculocutaneous nerve in
children.
The aim of this prospective imaging study is to investigate whether musculocutaneous nerve
is visualized in childhood with the use of ultrasound imaging or not. A secondary aim of
this study is to assess the percentage of its visualization according to the age.
Parental written informed consent is obtained from all participants. The children are
divided into three groups according to their age: Group 1, with infants aged less than 12
months; Group 2, with toddlers and preschoolers; and Group 3, with school-aged children
(6.5-12 years).
Children are placed in the supine position with the involved arm abducted at 90° and the
elbow flexed at 90°. The linear probe of a portable ultrasound machine is placed at the
axillary region, perpendicularly to the axillary artery. The musculocutaneous nerve is
searched near the axillary artery (proximally) and its course is followed distally (into the
coracobrachialis muscle). Its sonographic detection is recorded in these two sites, both
proximally and distally.
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