Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks Performed by Orthopedic Surgeons: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study in Akita Prefecture, Japan

Figure 3

(a) In the short-axis view of the interscalene, the C5–C7 nerves depicted as straight three circular hypoechoic images between the anterior and middle scalene muscles are visualized. (b) The groove of the C5 transverse process between the anterior and posterior tubercles is U-shaped. The C6 anterior tubercle is large, so the groove of the C6 transverse process is J-shaped. The C5 and C6 nerves lead to the peripheral side through the groove of the transverse processes. Tracing the nerves depicted as circular hypoechoic images from the groove of the transverse processes to the peripheral side is useful for identifying the nerves at the interscalene.

(a)

(b)