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

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Prince of Wales Hospital

Shatin, Kowloon, Hong Kong

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

volunteers consented for the scanning

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Ultrasound scan

Other

Volunteers will have an ultrasound scanning of both sides of their neck lying in supine position. Sequentially the scanning will start from the base of the neck (supraclavicular fossa) to the upper part of the interscalene groove and then in the reverse direction to the supraclavicular fossa. Images will be recorded as video loops.

Primary outcomes

Identification of the interscalene muscular ridges

Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Official study title

High Definition Ultrasound Imaging of the Intermuscular Bridges at the Interscalene Groove: A Prospective Observational Volunteer Study

Important dates

Study start: 2020
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2020
First posted: Sep 14, 2020
Registry last updated: Jun 18, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed