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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01442857

The Axillary Region in a High Resolution MRI

The axillary region is regularly used for brachial plexus block. The technique may be guided by nerve stimulation, ultrasound or a combination of nerve stimulation and ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been beneficial in presenting anatomy of interest for regional anesthesia and in demonstrating spread of local anesthetic (LA). An axillary MRI-study at our department supported the suggestion of multiple rather than a single injection technique. Using a 0.5 Tesla open MR scanner in that study, the investigators were not able to distinguish terminal nerves from equally sized vessels. Therefore the investigators could not definitely answer whether the LA reached the pertinent nerves. The investigators have recently performed an axillary block study with a 3.0 Tesla scanner. Now the terminal nerves were identified and for each patient the investigators could observe if the LA reached the nerves.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anatomy of the brachial plexus in the axillary region at different levels. The investigators present the best pictures of the nerves with and without LA injected. The images are demonstrated in the axial and coronal plane.

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Key information

Conditions

MRI Scanner Configuration

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

The Intervention Centre, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital

Oslo, Norway

About this study

For upper limb surgery, the brachial plexus can be blocked at the interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillary level as an alternative to general anesthesia. The axillary block requires more deposits to achieve a complete block. MRI investigations are of interest to better understand the block specific distribution of LA. With the new MRI Achieva 3.0T X-series (Philips Electronics, Eindhoven the Netherlands), with resolutions beyond 100μm using 2k imaging, we expected new information also compared with the earlier axillary MRI publication from our department. In that former study we used a single deposit technique in an open 0.5 Tesla scanner. We could not in that study recognize the terminal nerves or determine if the LA reached the axillary plexus.

MRI publications of the brachial plexus mostly study the shoulder region and few are describing the axillary region. We did not find any article describing the axillary brachial plexus using a 3.0 Tesla high resolution MRI.

Ultrasound visualizes the plexus nerves in the axilla and demonstrates dynamically the spread of LA. This usually occurs in 2-dimensional images where the initially observed LA fades after some minutes. MRI provides more easy 3 - dimensional images also in oblique planes compared with ultrasound.

This study was done in order to demonstrate the relevant anatomy in the volunteers and the spread of LA in patients. We also present the used protocols and MRI - stacks after having optimized the configuration of the 3.0 MRI scanner.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • ASA 1 - 2.
  • Anatomic volunteers or patients scheduled for hand surgery

Exclusion criteria

  • Nerulogic disease or sequela

Treatment and study plan

MRI

Radiation

High resolution MRI of the brachial plexus

Primary outcomes

  1. Pattern of local anaesthetic spread in axillary plexus block patients compared to MR images from volunteers without local anaesthesia injected.

    Time frame: 3 years

    The optimized configuration of the 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner demonstrated detailed images from the volunteers and the patients. The image difference between the two groups was visualized and described.

    The investigators examined 9 volunteers and 9 patients. The volunteers were tested with different protocols in the 3.0 Tesla MRI providing anatomic pictures. The patients had two different brachial plexus blocks. Subsequently they were scanned with MRI and finally tested clinically for block efficacy before operation.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Diakonhjemmet Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • Oslo University Hospital

Registry information

Official study title

The Axillary Region in a High Resolution MRI. Imaging Before and After Brachial Plexus Block

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Sep 29, 2011
Registry last updated
Aug 5, 2014

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.

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