Stories That Inspire Global Impact

Epidural placement, a common procedural application in medical settings, involves precisely inserting a needle and catheter into the epidural space, the area surrounding the spinal cord. Ultrasound guidance is increasingly utilized to enhance safety and accuracy, allowing real-time visualization of anatomical structures and needle advancement. This technique is critical for various pain management strategies, including…

A Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthetic technique used in procedural medicine to provide analgesia for abdominal wall surgeries. Administered under ultrasound guidance, this block targets the nerves within the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, offering effective pain relief by blocking somatic nerve innervation to the anterior…

PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) placement is a common medical procedure involving the insertion of a long, thin tube into a peripheral vein, typically in the arm, with its tip advanced into a large central vein near the heart. Ultrasound guidance is crucial for safe and effective PICC placement, allowing clinicians to visualize the vein,…

The fascia iliaca block is a regional anesthetic technique used in procedural medicine, particularly relevant to pain management and orthopedic ultrasound. This nerve block targets the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves by injecting local anesthetic into the potential space beneath the fascia iliaca, superior to the iliacus muscle. Ultrasound guidance is increasingly utilized…

Dialysis catheter placement is a vital procedural application of medical ultrasound, ensuring safe and accurate insertion of temporary or permanent access devices for hemodialysis. Ultrasound guidance minimizes complications like arterial puncture or pneumothorax, enhancing patient safety and procedural success in critical care and nephrology settings. This imaging technique allows real-time visualization of vascular anatomy, guiding…

Needle guidance in procedural ultrasound involves using real-time imaging to precisely direct a needle into a target, enhancing accuracy and safety during interventions like biopsies, aspirations, and injections. This technique visualizes the needle's path, tip, and surrounding anatomy, minimizing complications and improving patient outcomes. It's a cornerstone of modern interventional radiology and point-of-care procedures. Optimized…

An echogenic needle is a specialized medical device designed for enhanced visibility under ultrasound guidance during interventional procedures. Its unique design incorporates features like roughened surfaces, dimples, or polymer coatings that strongly reflect ultrasound waves, appearing brightly on the sonographic image. This improved echogenicity significantly aids clinicians in precisely tracking the needle's trajectory and tip…

In procedural medical and ultrasound, hydrodissection is a technique involving the injection of a fluid, typically saline or a local anesthetic, to separate tissue planes or create a safety margin around a structure. This method enhances visibility, facilitates safe needle advancement during biopsies or injections, and can mitigate nerve injury by isolating neural structures from…

Central venous access is a crucial procedural technique in medicine, involving the insertion of a catheter into a large vein, typically in the neck, chest, or groin. This allows for reliable long-term intravenous access, essential for administering medications, fluids, chemotherapy, and for monitoring central venous pressure. Ultrasound guidance is now standard for these procedures, significantly…