Temporary neurologic deficit after cervical transforaminal injection of local anesthetic

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of spinal cord block after injection of local anesthetic into a cervical radicular artery. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Neurology practice specializing in spinal pain. Interventions. A patient underwent a C6-7 transforaminal injection. Contrast medium indicated correct and safe placement of the needle. RESULTS: After the injection of local anesthetic, the patient developed quadriplegia. The injection was terminated. The neurologic impairment resolved after 20 minutes observation. CONCLUSION: Despite correct placement of the needle for a cervical transforaminal injection, injectate may nevertheless enter a cervical radicular artery. Whereas local anesthetic, so injected, appears to have only a temporary effect on spinal cord function, particulate steroids may act as an embolus and cause permanent impairment

Keywords : administration & dosage,Adrenal Cortex Hormones,adverse effects,Anesthetics,Local,Arteries,Cervical Vertebrae,complications,Contrast Media,drug therapy,etiology,Female,Humans,Injections,Epidural,Lidocaine,Middle Aged,Pain,Pain,Intractable,Quadriplegia,Radiculopathy,Spinal Cord,Spine,Steroids,therapeutic use,, Neurologic,Deficit,After,Cervical,Transforaminal, diaphragm breathing

Date of Publication : 2004 Jun

Authors : Karasek M;Bogduk N;

Organisation : Northwest Spine Group, Eugene, Oregon, USA

Journal of Publication : Pain Med

Pubmed Link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15209975

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