Lateral pterygoid muscle and maxillary artery are key anatomical landmarks for ultrasound-guided trigeminal nerve block

摘要

TRIGEMINAL nerve blocks have traditionally been performed by contacting the lateral pterygoid plate, entering the pterygopalatine fossa, and advancing the needle to elicit a paresdiesia. Fluoroscopy and computed tomography have been used to identify the anatomical landmarks, but these methods are costly and may be difficult for the clinician to interpret during needle guidance. Ultrasonography may provide a simpler method for needle guidance when performing a trigeminal nerve block.