The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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A Severe Retropharyngeal Hematoma after Stellate Ganglion Block -A case report-

성상신경절차단 후 생긴 심한 후인두 혈종 -증례보고-

  • Lee, Kang Hun (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Duck Mi (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • 이강훈 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 윤덕미 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실)
  • Received : 2007.09.07
  • Accepted : 2007.11.28
  • Published : 2008.06.01
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Abstract

A 73-year-old man with sudden sensory neural hearing loss received a stellate ganglion block. Two hours after the block, the patient complained of newly developed neck discomfort. After an additional two hours, the neck swelled up gradually and neck pain and dyspnea developed. A plain radiograph of neck revealed narrowing of the upper airway; a tracheostomy was performed and the dyspnea was improved. On the next day, the pain site extended to the right scapula and a CT image revealed a huge retropharyngeal hematoma. Hematoma evacuation and bleeder ligation were then performed and the patient was discharged on the fourth day after admission without any complications. A practitioner should always remember to educate the patients about possible complications and undertake intensive observation when performing procedures, even in patients who do not initially present with a compromised airway.

Keywords

References

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