REGIONAL-neuraxial block Flashcards
What are the 4 points of spinal curvature
- Cervical and lumbar lordosis
2. Thoracic and sacral kyphosis
Which portion of the vertebrae project laterally
The 2 transverse processes
Which portion of the vertebrae project posteriorly
The spinous process
Which vertebral landmark helps determine midline
Spinous process
What distinction differentiates lumbar vertebrae from thoracic and cervical vertebra
The orientation of the spinous process
- Lumbar SP project posteriorly
- C and T-spine SP angle in caudal direction
How does the difference in spinous process angle of the lumbar vs thoracic vertebra affect epidural access
The thoracic SP angle caudally requiring a more cephalad approach with the needle
How does the altered anatomy of C1 and C2 affect function
Allows for head rotation at the AO joint
Which vertebra doesn’t have a vertebral body
C1 atlas
C2 has a very small vertebral body
Which vertebra has the odontoid process
C2 Axis
Also called the dens
Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebral column
the intervertebral foramina
What portion of the vertebrae form the posterior border of the intervertebral foramina
Facet joints
What alterations reduces the size of the intervertebral foramina
How does this impact the spine
Disc degeneration reduces intervertebral foramina size
This can cause nerve compression
What processes form the facet joints
Inferior articular process of the top vertebra
Superior articular process of the bottom vertebra
Name the corresponding posterior surface landmarks for each vertebra C7 T3 T7 L1 L4 S2
C7 = vertebra prominens T3 = Spine of scapula (top) T7 = Inferior angle of scapula L1 = Rib 12 margin L4 = Superior aspect of iliac crest S2 = Posterior superior iliac spine
Name the corresponding vertebra for each surface landmark Vertebra prominens= Spine of scapula= Inferior angle scapula= Rib 12 margin= Superior iliac crest= PSIS=
Vertebra prominens= C7 Spine of scapula= T3 Inferior angle scapula= T7 Rib 12 margin= L1 Superior iliac crest= L4 PSIS= S2
What is the landmark called that corresponds to the superior aspect of the iliac crest
Correlates with which vertebra
Intercristal line aka Tuffier’s line
L4
What do the interspaces above and below the intercristal line correlate with
Above = L3-L4 space Below = L4-L5 space
In infants up to 1 year, what interspace level does the intercristal line correlate
L5 - S1 interspace
4 facts about the sacral hiatus
- Coincides with S5
- Results from incomplete fusion of laminae at S5 (or S4)
- Covered by the sacrococcygeal ligament
- Entry point to epidural space
2 facts about the sacral cornua
- Bony nodules that flank the sacral hiatus
2. Result from incomplete development of facets
Where does the spinal cord end in adults vs infant
What is this anatomy called
Conus medullaris
Adults = L1-L2
Infant=L3
What is the cauda equina
Bundle of spinal nerves extending FROM the conus medullaris to the dural sac
What spinal levels make up the cauda equina
Nerves and nerves roots from L2 - S5, coccygeal nerve
Where does the dural sac terminate in adults vs infants
Adult = S2 Infant = S3
What space terminates at the dural sac
The subarachnoid space
What is the filum terminale
A continuation of pia mater from the conus medullar that extends to the coccyx
What is the function of the filum terminale
Anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx
What is the bundle of spinal nerves that extend from the conus medullaris to the dural sac
Cauda equina
The filum terminale is fixated at which two points
Conus medullaris and coccyx
List the 5 ligaments of the spinal column in order from superficial to deep
- Supraspinous
- Interspinous
- Ligamentum flavum
- Posterior longitudinal
- Anterior longitudinal
List the ligaments the needle passes through when performing a spinal, from superficial to deep
- Supraspinous ligament
- Interspinous ligament
- Ligamentum flavum
Which spinal ligaments are not traversed when performing a spinal
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Describe the anatomy of the supraspinous ligament
Runs the length of the spin and joins the tips of the spinous processes
4 facts of the ligamentum flavum
- Two flava run the length of the spinal canal
- Form the dorsolateral margin of epidural space
- Thickest in the lumbar region
- Piercing them contributes to LOR when needle enters the epidural space
What ligament forms the dorsolateral margin of the epidural space
Ligamentum flavum
When using the paramedian approach to perform a spinal, which ligaments are traversed
Which ligaments are not traversed
Traversed = ligamentum flavum
NOT traversed = supraspinous and interspinous ligaments
When is the paramedian approach for performing a spinal useful
- Calcified interspinous ligament
2. Pt cannot flex their spine
How is the paramedian approach different from the midline approach
- 15 degrees off midline
OR - 1 cm lateral and 1 cm inferior to interspace
Doesn’t traverse supraspinous or interspinous ligaments
What is the order of meningeal layers of the spinal cord from the outside in
Dura
Arachnoid
Pia
What are the layers traversed when doing a spinal
- Skin
- SQ tissue
- Supraspinous ligament
- Interspinous ligament
- Ligamentum flavum
- Epidural space
- Dura mater
- Subdural space
- Arachnoid mater
- Subarachnoid space
What is another name for epidural veins
Batson’s plexus
From where do epidural veins drain blood
From the spinal cord
What happens to epidural veins with pregnancy and obesity
Increased intra-abdominal pressure causes engorgement of epidural veins
What risks are increased when performing an epidural during pregnancy
Increased risk of cannulation or injury
What occurs if medication is inadvertently injected into the subdural space when performing a spinal or epidural
Spinal dosing = failed spinal
Epidural dosing = high spinal
What space is the target when performing a spinal
subarachnoid space
What structures are contained in the subarachnoid space
CSF
Nerve roots
Rootlets
Spinal cord
Which meninge is never punctured during spinal anesthesia
Pia mater
How many paired spinal nerves are there
31
What is the anatomy of each spinal nerve
They each have a posterior (dorsal) nerve root or anterior (ventral) nerve root
What information is carried via posterior vs anterior nerve roots
Posterior = sensory Anterior = motor, autonomic
What is a dermatome
An area of skin that’s innervated by a dorsal spinal nerve
What is the corresponding cutaneous landmark for each nerve root C6 C7 C8 T4 T6 T10 T12 L4
C6 = thumb C7 = 2nd/3rd digits C8 = 4th/5th digits T4 = Nipple line T6 = Xiphoid process T10 = umbilicus T12 = Pubic symphysis L4 = Anterior knee
What nerve serves as sensory innervation of the face
The 3 branches of cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve)
What are the 3 branches of cranial nerve V
V1 = ophthalmic V2 = Maxillary V3 = Mandibular
What spinal nerve roots correspond to the following landmarks Anterior knee = Thumb = Umbilicus = Nipple line = 2nd/3rd digit = Pubic symphysis = 4th/5th digits = Xiphoid process =
Anterior knee = L4 Thumb = C6 Umbilicus = T10 Nipple line = T4 2nd/3rd digit = C7 Pubic symphysis = T12 4th/5th digits = C8 Xiphoid process = T6
What 3 surgical procedures require sensory level at T4
Landmark
- Upper abd surgery
- C-section
- Cystectomy
Landmark = nipple line
What 2 surgical procedures require sensory level block at T6-T7
Landmark
- Lower abd surgery
- Appendectomy
Landmark = xiphoid process
What 3 surgical procedures require sensory level block at T10
Landmark
- Total hip arthroplasty
- Vaginal delivery
- TURP
Landmark = umbilicus
What surgery requires sensory level block at L1 - L3
Landmark
LE surgery
Landmark = inguinal ligament
What surgery requires sensory block at L2-L3
Foot surgery
What surgery requires sensory block at S2-S5
Hemorrhoidectomy
Where is catheter insertion location for thoracic surgeries like thoracotomy or thoracic aneurysm repair
How much local
T2 - T6
Local = 5-10 mL
Where is catheter insertion location for upper abdominal surgeries
How much local
T6 - L1
Local = 10 - 20 mL
Where is catheter insertion location for LE surgeries like THA or TKA
How much local =
L2 - L5
Local = 20 mL
What are 4 key benefits of thoracic epidural vs lumbar epidural
- Superior analgesia
- Minimizes surgical stress response
- Reduces incidence of postop pulmonary complications
- Can spare LE nerves, allowing for postop ambulation
What are 2 reasona thoracic epidural may be more challenging than a lumbar epidural
- Spinous processes are more angles in the T-spine
2. The epidural space is small
When an epidural is combined with GA, there can be an increased risk of what 3 cardiopulmonary issues
- bradycardia
- HoTN
- Altered airway resistance
Why is bradycardia possible when epidural anesthesia is used with GA
The cardioaccelerator nerves are blocked at T1 - T4
Why is HoTN possible when epidural anesthesia is used with GA
There’s a decrease in CO and increased vasodilation
What airway changes occur d/t epidural anesthesia in conjunction with GA
Epidural anesthesia can increase vagal influence on airways (increased resistance and constriction)
What is the primary site of spinal anesthesia action in the subarachnoid space
Myelinated preganglionic fibers of spinal nerve roots
what is the site of action for epidural anesthesia
- Diffusion through the dural cuff to the nerve root
- Leaking into the intervertebral foramen to enter the paravertebral area
How is the spread of local anesthetic controlled with spinal anesthesia (4)
- Baracity
- Pt position during and after block placement
- Dose
- Site of injection
What are 2 non-controllable factors that affect spread of spinal anesthesia
- Volume of CSF
2. Density of CSF
List 7 factors that do not affect spread of spinal anesthesia
- Barbotage
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure (i.e. cough)
- Speed of injection
- Orientation of bevel
- Addition of vasoconstrictor
- Weight
- Gender
What is the most reliable factor of intrathecal spread when using hypo- or isobaric solution
Dose
What is the most reliable factor of intrathecal spread when using hyperbaric solution
Baracity
What are the 2 most reliable determinants of intrathecal spread
- Dose when hypo- or isobaric
2. Baracity when hyperbaric
What 3 factors significantly affect spread of epidural anesthesia
- LA volume
- Level of injection
- LA dose
What are 2 non-controllable factors that significantly affect spread of epidural anesthesia
- Pregnancy
2. Old age
What are 2 factors that have a small effect on epidural anesthesia spread
- LA concentration
2. Patient position
What are 3 factors that have a SMALL effect on epidural anesthesia spread
- Height
- Body weight
- Pressure in nearby body cavities
What are 3 factors that do NOT affect epidural anesthesia spread
- Additives
- Direction of bevel
- Speed of injection
How does the level of injection affect epidural anesthesia spread
Lumbar
Midthoracic
Cervical
- Spread is mostly cephalad
- Spread is equally cephalad and caudad
- Spread is mostly caudad
What is the order of blocking fibers with local anesthetic
- Autonomic fibers
- Sensory fibers
- Motor neurons
How does neurologic function return as local anesthetic decreases
- motor neuron
- sensory fibers
- Autonomic fibers
How are the levels of blockade for autonomic, sensory, and motor fibers distributed with spinal anesthesia
Autonomic block is 2-6 levels above sensory
Sensory is 2 levels above motor
How are the levels of blockade for autonomic, sensory, and motor fibers distributed with epidural anesthesia
Sensory and SNS block are 2-4 levels above motor
Why are the level of autonomic and sensory blocks higher than motor
Because the LA concentration required to block sensory fibers is less than motor
The concentration to block SNS fibers is less then sensory
As the LA anesthetic spreads upward, the concentration is less but still effective as SNS or sensory block
What is the first sensory modality blocked
Sense of temperature
How can you test the first portion of differential blockade
With an alcohol pad, they won’t feel cold
What is the second sensory modality blocked
Pain
How can you test the second portion of differential blockade
Pinprick
What is the last sensory modality blocked
Sense of light touch or pressure
What is the method of monitoring motor block
Modified Bromage Scale to assess the degree of motor block
What does the modified bromage scale assess
Motor block of the lumbosacral nerves
What are the levels of the modified bromage scale
0=no motor block
1=Cannot raise an extended leg; moves knees/feet
2=Cannot raise an extended leg or move knee; moves feet
3=Complete motor block; no leg, knee, or feet movement
Peripheral nerve fiber velocity greatest to least
A alpha = A beta > A gamma = A delta > B > C sympathetic = C dorsal root
Peripheral nerve fiber block onset from first to last
1st = B 2nd = C sympathetic, C dorsal root 3rd = A gamma, A delta 4th = A alpha, A beta
Peripheral nerve fiber myelination from most to least
Heavy: A alpha = A beta Medium: A gamma = A delta
Light: B
C fibers = NO myelination
Why are B and C fibers blocked first and second
B fibers = preganglionic ANS fibers
C fibers = Postganglionic ANS fibers (then pain/temp/touch)
What structure must be traversed by epidural LAs and what is their primary target?
First diffuse through the dural cuff before they can anesthetize the nerve root (target)
What is the primary drug-related determinant of local anesthetic spread in the epidural space
The volume of LA
What type of nerve fiber is blocked first after a spinal anesthetic
Type B - preganglionic ANS fibers
Function of A alpha fibers
Skeletal muscle = motor
Proprioception
(preserved with anterior spinal artery ischemia)
Function of A beta fibers
Touch
Pressure
Function of A gamma fibers
Skeletal muscle tone
Function of A delta fibers
- Fast pain
- Temperature
- Touch
Function of B fiber
preganglionic ANS fibers