Using ultrasonography to improve fluoroscopic needle navigation in PM&R residents and medical students; a Randomised study

Abstract

BackgroundFluoroscopy guided interventions are widely used procedures in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Understanding the movement of the needle is part of a resident's initial training when performing these procedures. Needle navigation training is largely gained with fluoroscopy. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of ultrasound training can lead to a decrease in time to reach a target under fluoroscopy. Methods32 medical students or residents. Exposure of one group of trainees to a practice session of needle navigation using ultrasound. The control group did not participate in ultrasound training. Time to reach the target during a fluoroscopy guided needle navigation test was measured in both groups. ResultsThe mean time to reach the target under fluoroscopy of the students unexposed to an ultrasound training (group 1 control group) was 183 ​s (standard deviation ​= ​160 ​s), while that after ultrasound training (group 2 experimental group) was 150,81 ​s (standard deviation ​= ​96 ​s) (p ​= ​0,483) ConclusionFluoroscopy needle navigation training was not improved by a 1-h group practice session with in-plane ultrasound needle navigation practice. Further studies need to be done with exposure for residents to a group practice session longer than 1-h