Application of sonoelastography to regional anaesthesia: a descriptive study with the Thiel embalmed cadaver model

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia (UGRA) is being used increasingly in patients but varying patient characteristics make it difficult to visualize needles and spread of local anaesthetic fluid.Methods: To evaluate the use of elastography for UGRA by performing ultrasound-guided nerve blocks in Thiel embalmed cadavers. Both upper limb and lower limb blocks were performed on cadavers with ultrasound guidance. B-mode and elastography images obtained on split screen were analysed.Results: The B-mode images were superior compared with the ultrasound elastography images with respect to the anatomical details; however, dynamic changes such as fluid spread were visualized better with elastography.Conclusion: The elastography images also had good dose response to the volume of the injectate implying its usefulness in detecting local anaesthetic spread when low volumes are used as test doses.