Access needles and methods of using the needles are set forth in this disclosure. The needles can include a handle and a cannula (102) having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the body of the cannula. A protective sheath (101) may surround the cannula. Further, a stylet (205) may be removably disposed within the lumen of the cannula. The stylet includes a piercing tip (104, 404) at a distal end and a flexible body length extending proximally from the piercing tip to the handle. The flexible body of the stylet provides a path of fluid communication through the lumen of the cannula such that a contrast fluid can effectively pass through the lumen of the cannula. Methods of introducing cannulas to target locations within a body of a patient are also set forth in this disclosure.
