الفهرس 
Physics and principleOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Ultrasound is becoming increasingly useful to the anesthesiologist for patient monitoring, intraoperative diagnosis and research. Advances in ultrasound technology bring increases in the number of indications for its usage.
The principle characteristic of ultrasound that forms the basis of its use in imaging is its reflection from surfaces encountered in its path.
The ability to see cross-sectional images during invasive procedures provides a unique teaching medium, which is largely unexplored in anesthesia and intensive care.
Knowledge is gained of both normal and variant anatomy. This information can lead to improvements in traditional surface landmark-based invasive techniques.
The indications and complications of invasive techniques in anesthesia are well documented and we are aware of the serious and fatal complications related to these techniques in our hospitals with the patients suffering unnecessarily.
There is increasing evidence that many of these problems can be avoided by the use of ultrasound for imaging during vascular access and peripheral nerve block particularly in higher-risk difficult cases.
The traditional guidance techniques in regional anesthesia have consistently failed to satisfy anesthesiologists. Blind blocks that rely only on anatomical landmarks are known to produce serious complications. Even nerve stimulation fails to ensure adequate levels of nerve blocks.
Ultrasound visualization of anatomical structures is the only method offering safe blocks of superior quality by optimal needle positioning.
Ultrasound can significantly improve quality of nerve blocks in almost all types of regional anesthesia.
It is very important for the anesthesiologist to know the common ultrasound-generated artifacts.
Knowledge of ultrasound-generated artifacts is an exciting educational opportunity for the anesthesiologist. At the very least, these artifacts are annoying and provoke intellectual curiosity. At the very worst, a misinterpretation of an ultrasound-generated artifact may result in a negative patient outcome.