Use of computed tomography for mandibular nerve block in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

A new approach for peri‐operative analgesia of cleft palate repair in infants: the bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block

“…This CT scan study was realized on healthy infants and children, and it is interesting to notice that cleft palate can lead on a possibility of a minor modification of needle orientation and/or distances. The infrazygomatic approach incurs a risk of vascular puncture because of the vicinity of the inframaxillary artery (8), whereas the suprazygomatic approach from the frontozygomatic angle is safer because the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa lies ventrally and inferiorly to the maxillary nerve (9). The infrazygomatic approach, not described in children, presents the possibility of penetrating the base of the skull or the orbit (12).…”

“…Finally, submucosal infiltration performed by the surgeon seems to alter surgical conditions. Maxillary nerve block using the suprazygomatic approach has demonstrated beneficial effects in adults for trigeminal neuralgia (8) and limits the risks related to the procedure.…”

Ultrasound guidance characteristics and efficiency of suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks in infants: a descriptive prospective study

“…Compared with infra‐orbital route, the suprazygomatic maxillary block is a deep approach to the trigeminal nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa, minimizing risks of vascular and nerve puncture. However, the risks of nerve puncture remains (6). Thus, the use of ultrasound guidance to perform suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block seems promising for evaluating anatomical characteristics and LA spread in children.…”