USG Imaging of Brachial Plexus Sheath & Its Fascial Compartments at Costoclavicular Space & Infraclavicular Fossa

NCT04370184 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 100

Last updated 2021-01-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The existence of the brachial plexus sheath (BPS) and its septae and compartments has been a subject of debate and controversy. Numerous cadaver studies indicate that BPS is present while other researchers based on limited clinical data suggest none. Nevertheless, cumulative evidence over the last six decades indicate that it is multi-layered, fibrous and a web-like connective tissue that is derived from the deep cervical fascia and fused with the deep fascia of the arm The BPS completely envelopes that neurovascular bundle and filed with loose connective tissue and fat. It is a multi-compartment structure in the axilla with each nerve having a separate compartment, that communicate with each other. Some studies suggested that the septae affect the spread of local anesthetic during an axillary or infraclavicular brachial plexus block, while some suggest the opposite. With the use of ultrasound imaging, researchers found the presence of this connective tissue septum within the BPS at the costoclavicular space and infraclavicular fossa. The septum is visualized as a linear hyperechoic band on ultrasound imaging and when present appears to reduce the spread of the drugs during brachial plexus block. Yet the anatomy is poorly seen with the previous generation of ultrasound imaging. The aim of this study is to define the connective tissue (fascial) layers that surround the brachial plexus and its septum at the infraclavicular fossa by reviewing our archived high definition ultrasound images of 100 patients who had successfully undergone the ultrasound guided brachial plexus block over a 5 year period (2013 to 2018).

Conditions

  • Musculoskeletal Diseases or Conditions

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Ultrasound guided Costoclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

Ultrasound images from patients scheduled for upper limb surgery under costoclavicular brachial plexus block (one kind of regional anesthesia) have been routinely collected at our institute. These images will be reviewed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Manoj K Karmakar, MD · Chinese University of Hong Kong

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-06-01
Primary Completion
2020-12-31
Completion
2020-12-31

Countries

  • Hong Kong

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04370184 on ClinicalTrials.gov