High Definition Ultrasound Imaging of the Intermuscular Bridges at the Interscalene Groove

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy

• Registration Number: NCT04547270
• Lead Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Brief Summary

This study aims to define the intermuscular bridges between the scalene muscles at the interscalene groove (around neck area) using high definition US imaging in a cohort of volunteers.

Detailed Description

The Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB), with recent techniques like phrenic nerve sparing interscalene approach, has better safety profile than before and because of this, it is often the technique of choice for anaesthesia and/or analgesia during shoulder and proximal arm surgery. Anatomical variations at the interscalene groove are not uncommon and few have been described in the literature. Understanding the anatomy of the brachial plexus and its sheath at the interscalene groove is vital for the success of the block and to reduce the risk of complications during ultrasound (US) guided ISBPB. Recently, with the use of high definition ultrasound, using high frequency linear transducer, the principal investigator have identified intermuscular bridges appearing between the ventral rami of the brachial plexus at the interscalene groove. These intermuscular bridges may affect the spread of local anesthetic dispersion within the brachial plexus sheath thereby affecting the block dynamics of ISBPB. Therefore, this prospective observational study aim to define the intermuscular bridges at the interscalene groove using high definition ultrasound imaging in a group of healthy volunteers.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2020-09-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-09-07
• Study First Posted: 2020-09-14
• Study Start: 2020-09-23
• Primary Completion: 2020-12-31
• Study Completion: 2020-12-31
• Status Verified: 2021-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-06-17
• Last Update Posted: 2021-06-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• volunteers consented for the scanning

Exclusion Criteria

• prior surgery on either side of the neck
• presence of obvious deformity

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Identification of the interscalene muscular ridges	through study completion, an average of 20 minutes.	Volunteers will have ultrasound (USG) scanning of both sides of their necks that last for 20 minutes. Images will be recorded as video loops of 7 seconds each that include supraclavicular fossa, C5-7 transverse processes, superior, middle and inferior trunk. After completion of all scannings, newly coded video loops not in a predetermined order or sequence, will be assessed by 3 senior anaesthesiologists and the visualization of the intermuscular bridges at the interscalene groove will be noted. The quality of ultrasound visibility (ultrasound visibility score, UVS) of each structure will be assessed using a 4-point Likert scale (0, not visible; 1, hardly visible; 2, well visible; 3, very well visible). Total UVS (maximum score possible=15) will be calculated by averaging the scores from the three outcome assessors. The percentage of agreement among 3 outcome assessors will be determined by using data on positive identification of the interscalene muscular ridges.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Prince of Wales Hospital; 🇭🇰 Shatin, Kowloon, Hong Kong