Published online Jun 28, 2012. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v4.i6.273
Revised: June 14, 2012
Accepted: June 21, 2012
Published online: June 28, 2012
AIM: To determine which modification to a vascular puncture needle results in increased visualization during ultrasound (US)-guided vascular puncture.
METHODS: We evaluated US images of a phantom made of degassed gelatin and each of the following four modified versions of a commercially available vascular puncture needle (18 G): re-cut needle, dimple needle, rough-surface needle (rough over the sections of needle located 3-6 mm from the tip), and a needle with four side holes (side holes covered by the sheath). An unmodified commercially available puncture needle was used as a control. Five interventional radiologists evaluated image quality according to the following classification grade: I, invisible; II, poor; III, moderate; IV, good; V, excellent.
RESULTS: The highest score for needle visualization was obtained for the needle with four side holes. The re-cut needle scored the same as the control. Multiple comparisons were conducted using overall evaluation scores among the commercially available needle, dimple needle, rough-surface needle (3-6 mm), and the needle with four side holes. A significantly higher score was obtained for the needle with four side holes (P < 0.05/6).
CONCLUSION: The needle with four side holes was prominently visualized and gained a significantly higher score (compared with the other needles) in a phantom evaluation.