A radiologic and anatomic assessment of injectate spread following transmuscular quadratus lumborum block in cadavers

Publication Date

2017

Journal Title

Anaesthesia

Abstract

© 2016 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland We performed bilateral transmuscular quadratus lumborum blocks in six cadavers using iodinated contrast and methylene blue. Computed tomography imaging was performed in four cadavers and anatomical dissection was completed in five. This demonstrated spread to the lumbar paravertebral space in 63% of specimens, laterally to the transversus abdominis muscle in 50% and caudally to the anterior superior iliac spine in 63% of specimens. There was no radiographic evidence of spread to the thoracic paravertebral space. Anatomical dissection revealed dye staining of the upper branches of the lumbar plexus and the psoas major muscle in 70% of specimens. Further clinical studies are required to confirm if the quadratus lumborum block might be a suitable alternative to lumbar plexus block.

Volume Number

72

Issue Number

1

Pages

73 - 79

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Science Education

PMID

27730633

DOI

10.1111/anae.13647

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