Safety and Pain Reduction in Emergency Practitioner Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks: A One-Year Retrospective Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Emergency practitioners use ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to alleviate pain. This study represents the largest registry of single-injection ultrasound-guided nerve blocks performed in an emergency department (ED) to date. We wished to assess the safety and pain score reductions associated with ED-performed ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. The main outcomes of interest were ultrasound-guided nerve block complication rates and change in patient-reported pain (0 to 10 on the VAS) pre and post ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Other variables of interest were ultrasound-guided nerve block types and indications during the study period. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 420 emergency practitioner-performed ultrasound-guided nerve blocks through chart review over 1 year in the Highland ED. Four emergency physician abstractors reviewed all templated ultrasound-guided nerve block notes and nursing records over the study period. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using 10 randomly selected charts with 100% agreement for 70 key variables (Kappa=1, P<.001). RESULTS: Seventy-five unique emergency practitioners performed 420 ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks were most often performed by emergency residents (61.9%), advanced practice practitioners (21.2%), ultrasound fellowship-trained faculty (8.3%), interns (3.6%), nonultrasound fellowship-trained faculty (3.3%), and not recorded (1.7%). One complication occurred during the study (arterial puncture recognized through syringe aspiration without further sequelae). Among the 261 ultrasound-guided nerve blocks with preblock and postblock pain scores, there was an improvement in postblock pain scores. The mean pain scores decreased from 7.4 to 2.8 after an ultrasound-guided nerve block (difference 4.6, 95% confidence interval 3.9 to 5.2). CONCLUSIONS: This 1-year retrospective study supports that emergency practitioner-performed ultrasound-guided nerve blocks have a low complication rate and are associated with reduced pain.

Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks in emergency medicine practice: 2022 updates.

OBJECTIVES: In the Emergency Department (ED), ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (UGNBs) have become a cornerstone of multimodal pain regimens. We investigated current national practices of UGNBs across academic medical center EDs, and how these trends have changed over time. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of academic EDs with ultrasound fellowships across the United States. Twenty-item questionnaires exploring UGNB practice patterns, training, and complications were distributed between November 2021-June 2022. Data was manually curated, and descriptive statistics were performed. The survey results were then compared to results from Amini et al. 2016 UGNB survey to identify trends. RESULTS: The response rate was 80.5% (87 of 108 programs). One hundred percent of responding programs perform UGNB at their institutions, with 29% (95% confidence interval (CI), 20%-39%) performing at least 5 blocks monthly. Forearm UGNB are most commonly performed (96% of programs (95% CI, 93%-100%)). Pain control for fractures is the most common indication (84%; 95% CI, 76%-91%). Eighty-five percent (95% CI, 77%-92%) of programs report at least 80% of UGNB performed are effective. Eighty-five percent (95% CI, 66%-85%) of programs have had no reported complications from UGNB performed by emergency providers at their institution. The remaining 15% (95% CI, 8%-23%) report an average of 1 complication annually. CONCLUSIONS: All programs participating in our study report performing UGNB in their ED, which is a 16% increase over the last 5 years. UGNB's are currently performed safely and effectively in the ED, however practice improvements can still be made. Creating multi-disciplinary committees at local and national levels can standardize guidelines and practice policies to optimize patient safety and outcomes.

Clavipectoral plane block performed in the emergency department for analgesia after clavicular fractures.

Clavicle fractures are common injuries in the Emergency Department (ED). Adequate pain control with oral or intravenous medications is the central aspect of treatment. The ultrasound-guided clavipectoral plane block (CPB), previously described in anesthesia literature, offers complete analgesia of the clavicle with a low adverse effect profile. In this case series, we describe the first reported utilization of the CPB for analgesia for acute clavicular fractures in the ED. We performed the CPB for distal and midshaft clavicular fractures on patients who suffered from a variety of traumatic accidents including bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and motor vehicle accidents. All patients experienced significant reductions in their reported pain without any reported complications. Given the need to provide patients with appropriate pain control in the ED, the CPB offers an effective, simple method for providing analgesia without known significant risks, including without the risks associated with high-dose systemic analgesia.

Low-Volume Targeted Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block in the Emergency Department as a Safer Alternative for Pain Control for Glenohumeral Reduction: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Acute glenohumeral dislocation is a common emergency department (ED) presentation, however, pain control to facilitate reduction in these patients can be challenging. Although both procedural sedation and peripheral nerve blocks can provide effective analgesia, both also carry risks. Specifically, the interscalene brachial plexus block carries risk of ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis due to inadvertent phrenic nerve involvement. There are techniques, however, that the emergency clinician can utilize to reduce these risks and optimize the interscalene brachial plexus block for specific pathologies such as glenohumeral dislocation. CASE SERIES: We report three cases of patients who presented to the ED with acute anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Two of the patients had a history of pulmonary disease. In all three cases, targeted low-volume interscalene nerve blocks were performed and combined with systemic analgesia to facilitate successful closed glenohumeral reduction and reduce the risk of diaphragm paralysis. All 3 patients were monitored after the procedure and discharged from the ED. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Contrary to anesthesiologists who often seek to obtain dense surgical blocks, the goal of the emergency clinician should be to tailor blocks for specific procedures, patients, and pathologies. The emergency clinician can optimize the interscalene brachial plexus block for glenohumeral dislocation by using a low volume (5-10 mL) of anesthetic targeted to specific nerve roots (C5 and C6) to provide effective analgesia and reduce the risk diaphragm involvement.

"Swirling right ventricular" sign as a marker of right ventricular dysfunction in two patients with submassive pulmonary embolism.

Assessing the right ventricular function in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) is pivotal when determining the appropriate treatment pathway. We describe two cases of submassive PE requiring systemic thrombolysis, in which intravenous saline contrast demonstrated a noticeable lack of forward flow in the right ventricle. This technique potentially may indicate impending right ventricular functional collapse and the need for more aggressive intervention.

Indirect signs of aortic dissection on POC-TTE despite an ADD-RS of 0 and D-dimer < 500 ng/mL.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a "can't miss" diagnosis for emergency physicians. An algorithm combining the Aortic Dissection Detection Risk Score (ADD-RS) with D-dimer has been proposed as a high-sensitivity clinical decision tool for AD that can determine the need for advanced imaging. Here we present a case of a 48-year-old male who presented to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain and dyspnea. He had an ADD-RS score of 0 and negative D-dimer, which placed him in the low-risk category not requiring further advanced imaging. Despite this, he was found to have a pericardial effusion and dilated aortic root on point-of-care transthoracic echocardiogram (POC-TTE). These findings increased suspicion for AD and prompted the emergency physician to order a computed tomography angiography (CTA), revealing a thoracic AD. The patient successfully underwent surgical repair. This case demonstrates that the ADD-RS + D-dimer algorithm would have erroneously ruled out AD, without the inclusion of indirect findings of AD from the POC-TTE. This highlights the value of using POC-TTE as an adjunct to the ADD-RS + D-dimer algorithm in the diagnostic evaluation of AD and how giving more weight to indirect signs of AD on POC-TTE could potentially increase the sensitivity of the combined ADD-RS + D-dimer + POC-TTE algorithm.

Perineural Dexamethasone as a Peripheral Nerve Block Adjuvant in the Emergency Department: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Acute pain is one of the most common complaints encountered in the emergency department (ED). Single-injection peripheral nerve blocks are a safe and effective pain management tool when performed in the ED. Dexamethasone has been explored as an adjuvant to prolong duration of analgesia from peripheral nerve blocks in peri- and postoperative settings; however, data surrounding the use of dexamethasone for ED-performed nerve blocks are lacking. CASE SERIES: In this case series we discuss our experience with adjunctive perineural dexamethasone in ED-performed regional anesthesia. Why Should an Emergency Physician be Aware of This?: Nerve blocks performed with adjuvant perineural dexamethasone may be a safe additive to provide analgesia beyond the expected half-life of local anesthetic alone. Prospective studies exploring the role of adjuvant perineural dexamethasone in ED-performed nerve blocks are needed. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Ultrasound-guided analgesic injection for acromioclavicular joint separation in the emergency department.

We present the first documented case of an emergency clinician treating the pain of an acute Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation through ultrasound (US) guided injection of an anesthetic agent. A 41 year old male presented with an acute traumatic grade III AC joint separation after falling off a scooter, and his pain was not significantly improved with oral medication. The AC joint was located by US, and bupivacaine was injected into the joint effusion under US guidance, yielding near complete resolution of pain. In orthopedics and physiatry literature, US guided AC joint injections have been shown to be far more efficacious than landmark guided AC joint injections, yet this is the first known case documenting injection in the Emergency Department (ED). The superficial location of the AC joint, its ease of identification by US, and the rapid onset of analgesia by intra-articular injection makes the US-guided anesthetic injection of the AC joint an ideal tool to incorporate into a multimodal approach to pain management in AC joint separations.

A new frontier in pelvic fracture pain control in the ED: Successful use of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block.

The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a novel ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique derived from recent anatomic studies detailing the sensory innervation of the hip. Targeting these terminal sensory branches, the PENG block was originally developed as a potentially more effective block for perioperative hip fracture anesthesia, with the added benefit of preserving motor function. Subsequent research with higher volumes of local anesthetic demonstrated the successful utilization of PENG block for perioperative acetabular fractures. This raises the possibility that the PENG block may have a role in the Emergency Department (ED) where regional anesthesia options for pelvic fractures are lacking. Herein, we present the first description of PENG blocks successfully used for pelvic fractures in the ED setting.

Successful emergency pain control for acute pancreatitis with ultrasound guided erector spinae plane blocks.

Pain control for patients in the Emergency Department (ED) with acute pancreatitis (AP) can be difficult and is often limited to intravenous opioids. The acute side effects from opioids are well known and their use in the treatment of AP is associated with prolonged length of hospitalization. Additionally, up to 10% of patients hospitalized for acute pancreatitis are still receiving opioids 6 months after discharge. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia by emergency physicians has increasingly proven to be an integral part of a multi-modal opioid sparing pain control strategy for patients in the ED. The ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block may be an ideal adjunct or alternative to opioids for analgesia from AP in the ED. The erector spinae plane block has already been successfully utilized by emergency physicians for pain control from rib fractures, herpes zoster, and more recently, acute appendicitis A lower thoracic erector spinae plane block targets sympathetic nerve fibers in addition to the dorsal and ventral rami via local anesthetic spread to the paravertebral space to provide both visceral and somatic analgesia. Herein, we present the first reported case of acute pancreatitis pain successfully managed by emergency physicians with the ESPB.

Principles of safety for ultrasound-guided single injection blocks in the emergency department.

Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (UGNBs) allow emergency physicians an opportunity to provide optimal pain management for acute traumatic conditions. Over the past decade, a growing body of literature has detailed the novel ways clinicians have incorporated UGNBs for analgesia and an alternative to procedural sedation. UGNBs are considered a relatively safe procedure, and have been shown to increase rates of success and reduce complications (as compared to older techniques). Ultrasound allows the operator needle visualization and a clear anatomic overview. Even with the presumed level of increased safety, we recommend that any clinician who performs ultrasound-guided nerve blocks be aware of complications that could arise during and after the procedure. Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) post block, local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) and the role of single peripheral nerve blocks in patients with a risk for compartment syndrome are common safety issues discussed when performing ultrasound-guided nerve blocks.

Ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block for ED appendicitis pain control.

The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block or TAP block is a well-established regional anesthetic block used by anesthesiologists for peri-operative pain control of the anterior abdominal wall. Multiple studies have demonstrated its utility to control pain for a range of procedures from inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomies to cesarean sections [1-3]. There are no cases describing the efficacy of the ultrasound-guided TAP block in the emergency department as a part of a multimodal pain pathway for patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis. We developed a pain protocol in conjunction with our surgical colleagues that incorporates the TAP block to reduce opioid use, and better treat acute pain in patients with acute appendicitis diagnosed in the emergency department. We successfully performed ultrasound-guided TAP blocks in 3 patients with computed tomography confirmed appendicitis, reducing pain and need for further opioid use. This interdepartmental collaborative pathway could be an ideal anesthetic plan for patients diagnosed in the emergency department with acute appendicitis.

Anomalous Left Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery Presenting as Dilated Cardiomyopathy With Regional Wall Motion Abnormality on Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. We present the first reported case of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound, leading to expedited management, stabilization, and eventual treatment.

Syphilis and vision loss: A role for point-of-care ultrasound.

Vision loss in young adults is relatively rare. In patients with suspected HIV or syphilis, the risk of developing vision loss is increased, and should alert the emergency physician of specific retinal pathologies. We present a case of a 33-year-old man with recently identified syphilis and HIV, who was diagnosed with bilateral retinal detachments (RDs) with the help of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the setting of panuveitis (preventing visualization with direct fundoscopy).

Successful emergency pain control for posterior rib fractures with ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block.

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and Trauma Anesthesiology Society Guidelines recommend prompt and effective multimodal analgesia for rib fractures that combines regional anesthesia (RA) techniques with pharmacotherapy to treat pain, optimize pulmonary function, and reduce opioid related complications. However, RA techniques such as epidurals and paravertebral blocks, are generally underutilized or unavailable for emergency department (ED) patients. The recently described serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a promising technique, but failures with posterior rib fractures have been observed. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is conceptually similar to the SAPB, but targets the posterior thorax making it likely more effective for ED patients with posterior rib fractures. Our initial experience demonstrates consistent success with the ESPB for traumatic posterior rib fracture analgesia. Herein, we present the first description of the ESPB utilized in the ED.

Asteroid Hyalosis Masquerading as Vitreous Hemorrhage on Point-of-Care Sonography.

Point-of-care ocular sonography is frequently used in the emergency department to evaluate patients with vision disorders. We describe a case series of 3 patients who ultimately had a diagnosis of asteroid hyalosis, a lesser-known condition that on point-of-care sonography may be mistaken for vitreous hemorrhage. Asteroid hyalosis is considered a benign degenerative condition. In contrast, vitreous hemorrhage may be an ocular emergency that warrants an urgent ophthalmologic consultation if there is an underlying retinal tear or detachment. Although similar in appearance on sonography, recognition of the subtle pathognomonic sonographic features along with their clinical presentations can differentiate these diseases, with vastly different management strategies and dispositions.

A Rare Case of Acute Right-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis Presenting as Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: This case report highlights the clinical presentation, radiologic findings, and medical management of a case of right colonic diverticulitis (RCD) with concomitant pancreatitis, a rare and easily missed entity in the emergency department (ED) of Western hemisphere countries. In our report, we present and discuss a case of RCD that led to pancreatitis in a female Asian patient. We review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of this disorder, and also discuss some complications associated with RCD. The importance of considering this pathologic entity within the ED differential even in those patients presumed to be at low risk for this condition is also explained, as this can prevent inappropriate surgical intervention for this presentation. CASE REPORT: We describe a 40-year-old Asian woman presenting for evaluation of epigastric pain and vomiting. She was initially thought to have cholecystitis or food poisoning, but had a normal ultrasound evaluation and ultimately had co-presenting RCD and pancreatitis diagnosed after computed tomography scanning. The patient was admitted and made a full recovery after receiving medical therapy and maintaining bowel rest. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of RCD and concomitant pancreatitis found in the modern literature. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Severe epigastric pain in young Asian patients with minimal risk factors may be RCD. This condition presents much like appendicitis, cholecystitis, or food poisoning, but must be considered among early differential diagnoses and evaluated appropriately in order to prevent unnecessary interventions.

Ultrasound-guided retroclavicular approach infraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper extremity emergency procedures.

The America Society of Anesthesiology guidelines recommend multimodal analgesia that combines regional anesthetic techniques with pharmacotherapy to improve peri-procedural pain management and reduce opioid related complications. Commonly performed emergency procedures of the upper extremity such as fracture and dislocation reduction, wound debridement, and abscess incision and drainage are ideal candidates for ultrasound-guided (USG) regional anesthesia of the brachial plexus. However, adoption of regional anesthesia by emergency practitioners has been limited by concerns for potential complications and perceived technical difficulty. The Retroclavicular Approach to The Infraclavicular Region (RAPTIR) is a newly described USG brachial plexus block technique that optimizes sonographic needle visualization as a means of making regional anesthesia of the upper extremity safer and easier to perform. With RAPTIR a single well-visualized injection distant from key anatomic neck and thorax structures provides extensive upper extremity anesthesia, likely reducing the risk of complications such as diaphragm paralysis, central block, nerve injury, vascular puncture, and pneumothorax. Additionally, patient positioning for RAPTIR is well suited for the awake, acutely injured ED patient as the upper extremity remains adducted in a position of comfort at the patient's side. Thus, RAPTIR is a potentially ideal combination of infraclavicular targeting, excellent needle visualization, single injection, safety, comprehensive upper extremity analgesia, rapid performance, and comfortable patient positioning. Herein we present the first description of the RAPTIR utilized in the ED. Our initial experience suggests this is a promising new technique for brachial plexus regional anesthesia in the ED setting.

Forearm ultrasound-guided nerve blocks vs landmark-based wrist blocks for hand anesthesia in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Although ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks have become more commonplace in the emergency department, there is no evidence to suggest that they are more effective than traditional landmark-based wrist blocks for hand anesthesia. We hypothesized that ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks would provide superior analgesia as compared with conventional landmark-based wrist blocks. METHODS: Eighteen paired nerve injections were performed by an experienced operator on 12 healthy volunteers. Each subject's right arm was assigned to receive either an ultrasound-guided forearm block with a saline placebo wrist block or a traditional landmark-based wrist block with a saline placebo ultrasound-guided forearm block. The subject's left arm then received the alternate approach. All blocks were performed with 3 mL of 1% lidocaine. We evaluated sensory block to pinprick. Secondary outcome variables included pain associated with injection, participant's subjective assessment of block effectiveness, and presence of any complications. RESULTS: At 15 minutes postinjection, 14 of 18 (78%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 59%-97%) ultrasound-guided forearm blocks were successful, as opposed to 10 of 18 (56%; 95% CI, 33%-79%) anatomic wrist blocks. The ultrasound-guided forearm blocks had a 22% (95% CI, 2%-42%; P=.032) higher rate of success than the wrist blocks. The ultrasound-guided forearm block was subjectively felt to be denser by 12 of 18 (67%) subjects (P=.0034)). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks performed by an experienced operator result in more effective hand anesthesia than traditional anatomic landmark-based wrist blocks.