Two Affordable, High-Fidelity Central Venous Models for Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Training.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound-guided vascular access is an increasingly popular technique due to its reduced complication and higher success rates. Commercially bought training phantoms allow providers to develop tactile skills in a low-risk setting, but are also expensive and poorly accessible. This study analyzes the efficacy of homemade, low-cost, gelatin-based central line vascular models to teach vascular anatomy and intravascular access techniques in training physicians. METHODS: A gelatin mold was created using a mixture of unflavored gelatin, hot water, psyllium husk powder, and rubbing alcohol. Latex tubing, balloons, precooked hot dog, and tofu were inserted to simulate arteries, veins, nerves, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, respectively. Medical students from a single institution participated in a 90-minute workshop led by interventional radiology residents. Participants completed presurveys and postsurveys that assessed knowledge acquisition and confidence levels related to acquiring central access. All images were obtained using a USB-C Butterfly iQ probe. RESULTS: Twenty medical students were analyzed after the workshop. There was a statistically significant increase in self-reported confidence in basic ultrasound use (adjusting gain, depth, probe manipulation), localizing major anatomical structures, using ultrasound for vessel access, and reported ease in identifying muscle, nerves, and major blood vessels under ultrasound. There was also a significant increase in correctly identified anatomical landmarks after the workshop, including the sternocleidomastoid muscle, internal jugular vein, carotid artery, femoral nerve, femoral artery, and femoral vein. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that our homemade, low-cost, gelatin-based models were effective in teaching vascular anatomy and ultrasound-guided vascular access techniques to training physicians.

A Rare Instance of Chronic Masson's Tumor Presenting in the External Auditory Meatus and Surgical Plan: A Case Report.

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH), or Masson's tumor, is a rare and benign proliferation of endothelial cells typically of vascular origin. Common locations of Masson's tumor include the head, neck, orbit, lip, pharynx, and mandible. It is typically seen in middle-aged adult life and females. Possible differential diagnoses include hemangioma, benign vascular formation, angiosarcoma, and neurofibromatosis. The exact pathophysiology of Masson's tumor is currently unknown. We present the case of a middle-aged 47-year-old male with a pure type of Masson's tumor presenting with pedunculated, malleable lesions across the posterior scalp and circumferential neck, on the pinna of the right ear, and within the right external auditory meatus. The lesions within the right external auditory meatus caused conductive hearing loss. The plan is a complete surgical excision without wide margins. The patient was referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon due to the complicated location of the lesion within the external auditory meatus. This case serves as a differential diagnosis of conductive hearing loss complicated by Masson's tumor.