Scientific article
Case report
English

Partial sensory and motor deficit of ipsilateral lower limb after continuous interscalene brachial plexus block

Published inAnesthesia and analgesia, vol. 102, no. 1, p. 288-290
Publication date2006
Abstract

We describe a partial sensory and motor block of the ipsilateral lower limb after interscalene infusion. After and injection of 20 mL of ropivacaine through the needle, the catheter was advanced 5 cm, and an infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% 5 mL/h commenced. Six hours later, the patient reported a left sensory and motor hemisyndrome, which resolved after the infusion was discontinued. Cervical computed tomography showed the tip of the catheter close to the intervertebral foramen at the C7-T1 level and several intravertebral paramedullar air bubbles. We conclude that the neurological symptoms were caused by an injection of local anesthetic via an interscalene catheter placed in proximity to the epidural space. To avoid this complication, we recommend advancing the catheter no more than 2-3 cm and performing frequent neurological evaluation of patients.

Keywords
  • Adult
  • Amides/adverse effects
  • Brachial Plexus/drug effects/radiography
  • Catheterization/adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity/radiography
  • Motor Skills Disorders/chemically induced/radiography
  • Nerve Block/adverse effects
  • Neurons, Afferent/drug effects/radiography
  • Sensation Disorders/chemically induced/radiography
Citation (ISO format)
FAUST, Alexandre et al. Partial sensory and motor deficit of ipsilateral lower limb after continuous interscalene brachial plexus block. In: Anesthesia and analgesia, 2006, vol. 102, n° 1, p. 288–290. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000183638.76874.73
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
Journal ISSN0003-2999
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