The Use of Intraoperative Ultrasound by Anesthesiologists to Facilitate the Surgical Management of Peripheral Nerve Tumors of the Upper Extremity

In Brief BACKGROUND: Traditional uses of ultrasound by anesthesiologists include transesophageal echocardiography, facilitation of vascular access, and guidance of peripheral nerve blocks. METHODS: In this case series, we report a novel application of ultrasound by anesthesiologists to facilitate the operative dissection of upper extremity peripheral nerve tumors. RESULTS: In four cases, ultrasound was used to intraoperatively locate the tumor, plan the safest surgical approach, and exclude tumor vascularity. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound can be used by anesthesiologists to facilitate the surgical management of peripheral nerve tumors. IMPLICATIONS: This series of four cases describes the use of intraoperative ultrasonography performed by an anesthesiologist to facilitate surgical dissection of peripheral nerve tumors.