The pump maneuver: an atraumatic adjunct to enhance US needle tip localization.

Abstract

Real-time ultrasound (US)-guided biopsies and drainage procedures require constant visualization of the needle tip. Ensuring optimum needle tip visualization is paramount to the success of these procedures. The authors have found that pumping the stylet in and out of a stationary needle shaft increases the echo-genicity of the needle shaft and tip, thereby facilitating needle localization. This technique, which we have termed "the pump maneuver," is a quick, useful, and atraumatic adjunct to be considered during US-guided percutaneous needle biopsy and drainage procedures.