Must we discontinue selective cervical nerve root blocks? Report of two cases and review of the literature

Eur Spine J. 2013 May;22 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S466-70. doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2642-z. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Abstract

We report two detrimental neurologic complications after technically correct selected cervical nerve root blocks. Based on these cases and a thorough review of the literature, the indication for cervical nerve root blocks was reconsidered and limited. Similarly, we modified our technique to further reduce the likelihood for the occurrence of such severe complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anesthetics, Local / adverse effects*
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Block / adverse effects*
  • Nerve Block / methods
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / etiology*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local