Abstract
Purpose: Demonstrate the use of a new steerable needle for CT-guided neural plexus blockade to avoid traversing the kidneys. Materials and methods: Retrospective evaluation of 23 consecutive CT-guided neural plexus blockade procedures in which a new steerable needle was used in the last 13 and compared with the prior 10 procedures in which a standard needle was used. Results: Use of the steerable needle was beneficial to reach the target area without traversing a kidney or other organs in 6/13 (46%) procedures; in the other 7 procedures there was no benefit. A kidney was traversed in 0/13 procedures performed with the steerable needle. In contrast, a kidney was traversed in 4/10 (40%) procedures using a standard needle (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in clinical benefit (P = 1.00) or complications (P = 0.56) between procedures using the steerable needle versus a standard needle. Three complications were observed (1 major and 2 minor) felt to be related to the injection and not the needle type. Conclusions: The utility of a steerable 21-gauge needle during neural plexus blockades was found to allow for avoidance of the kidneys when compared to a standard (non-steerable) needle. Interventional radiologists may find this needle and its future iterations useful for neural blockades, as well as other procedures, when intervening structures need to be avoided. Level of evidence: Level 3, Non-randomized controlled cohort.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 327-332 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Abdominal Radiology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 15 2019 |
Keywords
- Nerve block
- Pain management
- Palliation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Urology