Journal article
Ultrasound-Guided Greater Palatine Nerve Block: A Case Series of Anatomical Descriptions and Clinical Evaluations
Anesthesia and analgesia, Vol.119(3), pp.726-730
09/01/2014
DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000329
PMID: 24977913
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Greater palatine nerve (GPN) block is commonly performed for maxillary and palatal anesthesia by using bony landmarks. Ultrasound (US) can be used to consistently identify greater palatine foramen (GPF) as a defect in the bony palate enabling US-guided injections near the foramen.
METHODS: We scanned and injected 16 undissected well-embalmed hemisectioned cadaveric heads after excluding major anatomical malformations. A linear high-frequency hockey stick probe (7-13 MHz) positioned in long axis to the hard palate visualized GPF as a discontinuity in the hard palate. US-guided injections of 0.1 mL India ink were made in an oblique plane. Specimens were dissected immediately after injection, and dye distribution was noted. The success rate of identification of GPF, number of attempts, and number of successful injections were recorded. The technique was evaluated clinically in 7 patients undergoing dental procedures. Five patients had US-guided injections, and 2 patients received US-assisted greater palatine canal blocks.
RESULTS: GPF was successfully identified in 16 hemisectioned heads (n = 16). In 7 of 16 hemisectioned cadaveric specimens (n = 7/16), needle pass was seen on the US and traces of India ink were found within the greater palatine canal and pterygopalatine fossa. In the remaining heads (n = 9/16), the dye was observed in the mucosal tissue of the hard palate anterior to the GPF or in the soft palate. Clinical evaluation reconfirmed successful identification of GPF by US in 6 of 7 patients (n = 6/7). US-guided injections were successful in 6 of the 8 attempted blocks (n = 6/8) with median number (range) of attempts being 2 (1-4). US-assisted injections were successful in 2 patients (n = 2/2).
CONCLUSIONS: US has the potential to successfully locate and characterize GPF in normal and edentulous maxilla. US-guided GPN blocks can be technically challenging. The clinical applicability of US guidance or assistance for GPN block needs further evaluation in a larger sample of patients.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Ultrasound-Guided Greater Palatine Nerve Block: A Case Series of Anatomical Descriptions and Clinical Evaluations
- Creators
- Najmus Sahar Hafeez - Western UniversityRakesh V. Sondekoppam - Univ Western Ontario, Dept Anesthesia & Perioperat Med, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaSugantha Ganapathy - Univ Western Ontario, Dept Anesthesia & Perioperat Med, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaJerrold E. Armstrong - Univ Western Ontario, Div Oral & Maxillofacial Surg, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaMichael Shimizu - Univ Western Ontario, Div Oral & Maxillofacial Surg, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaMarjorie Johnson - Univ Western Ontario, Dept Anat & Cell Biol, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaPeter Merrifield - Univ Western Ontario, Dept Anat & Cell Biol, London, ON N6A 5A5, CanadaKhadry A. Galil - Univ Western Ontario, Dept Anat & Cell Biol, London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Anesthesia and analgesia, Vol.119(3), pp.726-730
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- DOI
- 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000329
- PMID
- 24977913
- ISSN
- 0003-2999
- eISSN
- 1526-7598
- Number of pages
- 5
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2014
- Academic Unit
- Anesthesia
- Record Identifier
- 9984296148002771
Metrics
11 Record Views