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.
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.
Authors: Reto Sutter; Christian W A Pfirrmann; Marco Zanetti; Juerg Hodler; Cynthia K Peterson Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2011-10-01 Impact factor: 2.199
Authors: K P Schellhas; S R Pollei; B A Johnson; M J Golden; J A Eklund; R S Pobiel Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2007-09-28 Impact factor: 3.825