Indications

Contraindications

Clinical anatomy

The cervical nerves exit from the cervical spine through gutters in the transverse processes that run in an anterolateral direction, immediately posterior to the vertebral artery. The cervical nerves enter a facial space in the posterior triangle of the neck between the anterior and middle scalene muscles called the interscalene compartment (Fig. 15.1). The interscalene block is performed at the level of the cricoid cartilage (C6). Important anatomic relations (Fig. 15.2) include the external jugular vein, which crosses the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at this point, the phrenic nerve on the anterior scalene muscle, and the vertebral artery.

Figure 15.1 Coronal T1-weighted MR image showing the anatomy of the cervical region relevant to interscalene block (post contrast). Note relation of anterior and medial scalene muscles on the side contralateral to the injected contrast. 1, Sternocleidomastoid muscle; 2, common carotid artery; 3, middle scalene muscle; 4, clavicle; 5, anterior scalene muscle.

Figure 15.2 Neck dissection of cadaver structures illustrating the brachial plexus. 1, Clavicle; 2, cricoid cartilage; 3, retracted sternocleidomastoid muscle; 4, anterior scalene muscle; 5, middle scalene muscle; 6, brachial plexus; 7, phrenic nerve; 8, internal jugular vein.

Surface anatomy

The main landmarks for the interscalene block (Fig. 15.3) include clavicle; sternal notch; cricoid cartilage; sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle – these can be accentuated by asking the patient to perform a head lift; interscalene groove – both scalene muscles descend to the first rib and can be identified by asking the patient to inhale deeply, because they contract before the sternocleidomastoid muscle; and the external jugular vein –which can be accentuated by asking the patient to perform a Valsalva maneuver. A skin marker should routinely be used to delineate the anatomic structures before performing the block.

Figure 15.3 Landmarks for the interscalene block. Further accentuation of the anatomy can be achieved by asking patients to lift their head up against resistance (with the head turned to the side). Additionally, when palpating the interscalene groove, the groove can be better appreciated by asking the patient to sniff. 1, Clavicle; 2, cricoid cartilage; 3, clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; 4, sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; 5, posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Sonoanatomy

Perform a systematic anatomical survey from medial to lateral and superficial to deep. The carotid artery and internal jugular vein are seen medially. Medial to the vessels, the thyroid and trachea are identified. The ultrasound-guided intrascalene block is performed at the lateral border of the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Here the brachial plexus is a superficial structure and a high frequency ultrasound transducer (6 to 13 MHz) is used. A high frequency transducer allows good visualization of structures to a depth of 4–5 cm. The ultrasound transducer is placed in an axial oblique plain (Fig. 15.4) and the most superficial structure consistently encountered is the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This appears as a triangular structure with the apex pointing laterally. Immediately deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle are the anterior and middle scalene muscles. These can be accentuated by asking the patient to sniff. The roots of the brachial plexus appear between these two muscles in the interscalene groove. At this level it is common to identify between one and five hypoechoic structures (roots or trunks) and, depending on the position of the ultrasound transducer, these may appear oval or round. The brachial plexus at this level lies at a depth of around 1 cm from the skin (Fig. 15.5).

Figure 15.4 The patient is positioned supine with the head turned 45° to the contralateral side. The ultrasound transducer is then positioned in the posterior triangle of the neck at the level of the cricoid cartilage with an axial oblique orientation.

Figure 15.5 Transverse view of the brachial plexus at the lateral border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, at the level of the cricoid cartilage between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, using a high frequency linear ultrasound transducer. The arrows indicate the roots of the brachial plexus, which are reflected as hypoechoic structures. ASM: anterior scalene muscle; MSM: middle scalene muscle; SCM: sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Technique

Landmark-based approach

As for all regional anesthetic procedures, after checking that emergency equipment is complete and in working order, intravenous access, ECG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure monitoring are established. Asepsis is observed.

The patient is placed in the supine position with the head facing away from the side to be blocked. The patient is asked to elevate the head slightly to bring the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle into prominence. The palpating finger is placed behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the patient is instructed to end the head lift (Fig. 15.6). The finger now lies on the belly of the anterior scalene muscle, and with lateral movement of the finger to the lateral edge of this muscle, the groove between the anterior and middle scalene muscles (interscalene groove) is encountered (Fig. 15.7). The injection site in the interscalene groove lies at the level of the cricoid opposite the transverse process of C6 (Chassaignac tubercle).

Figure 15.6 Locating the interscalene groove. The palpating fingers are placed deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

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