Ultrasonographic Detection of Musculocutaneous Nerve in Children

Localizing the musculocutaneous nerve for neural blockade is crucial to achieve complete anesthesia of the forearm. However, in pediatric anesthesiology, the musculocutaneous nerve is unable to be blocked in up to 40-50% of cases when only neurostimulation is used, while there is limited information regarding ultrasound imaging of the musculocutaneous nerve in children.

The aim of this prospective imaging study is to investigate whether musculocutaneous nerve is visualized in childhood with the use of ultrasound imaging or not. A secondary aim of this study is to assess the percentage of its visualization according to the age.

Parental written informed consent is obtained from all participants. The children are divided into three groups according to their age: Group 1, with infants aged less than 12 months; Group 2, with toddlers and preschoolers; and Group 3, with school-aged children (6.5-12 years).

Children are placed in the supine position with the involved arm abducted at 90° and the elbow flexed at 90°. The linear probe of a portable ultrasound machine is placed at the axillary region, perpendicularly to the axillary artery. The musculocutaneous nerve is searched near the axillary artery (proximally) and its course is followed distally (into the coracobrachialis muscle). Its sonographic detection is recorded in these two sites, both proximally and distally.