Biomaterial Database

Diagnostic peripheral nerve block resulting in compartment syndrome. Case report. 1988

J R Parziale, and A R Marino, and J H Herndon

Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903.

A hemiplegic patient with severe upper extremity spasticity 2 years after a cerebrovascular accident received a diagnostic median nerve block below the elbow with bupivacaine. He had been placed on Coumadin as prophylaxis for cerebrovascular arteriosclerotic disease, and prothrombin time was kept at twice the control value. Less than 48 hours after the procedure, a compartment syndrome developed in the volar forearm. Compartment syndrome has not previously been reported as a complication resulting from a nerve block procedure. We conclude that (1) compartment syndrome may develop after a peripheral nerve block procedure for spasticity, (2) prophylactic anticoagulation may increase the risk for hemorrhagic events resulting from percutaneous injection and (3) early recognition is essential and appropriate decompressive fasciotomy may be indicated if a compartment syndrome develops after a nerve block procedure.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009128	Muscle Spasticity	A form of muscle hypertonia associated with upper MOTOR NEURON DISEASE. Resistance to passive stretch of a spastic muscle results in minimal initial resistance (a "free interval") followed by an incremental increase in muscle tone. Tone increases in proportion to the velocity of stretch. Spasticity is usually accompanied by HYPERREFLEXIA and variable degrees of MUSCLE WEAKNESS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p54)	Clasp-Knife Spasticity,Spastic,Clasp Knife Spasticity,Spasticity, Clasp-Knife,Spasticity, Muscle
D009407	Nerve Block	Interruption of NEURAL CONDUCTION in peripheral nerves or nerve trunks by the injection of a local anesthetic agent (e.g., LIDOCAINE; PHENOL; BOTULINUM TOXINS) to manage or treat pain.	Chemical Neurolysis,Chemodenervation,Nerve Blockade,Block, Nerve,Blockade, Nerve,Blockades, Nerve,Blocks, Nerve,Chemical Neurolyses,Chemodenervations,Nerve Blockades,Nerve Blocks,Neurolyses, Chemical,Neurolysis, Chemical
D002045	Bupivacaine	A widely used local anesthetic agent.	1-Butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-piperidinecarboxamide,Bupivacain Janapharm,Bupivacain-RPR,Bupivacaina Braun,Bupivacaine Anhydrous,Bupivacaine Carbonate,Bupivacaine Hydrochloride,Bupivacaine Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate,Buvacaina,Carbostesin,Dolanaest,Marcain,Marcaine,Sensorcaine,Svedocain Sin Vasoconstr,Bupivacain RPR
D002561	Cerebrovascular Disorders	A spectrum of pathological conditions of impaired blood flow in the brain. They can involve vessels (ARTERIES or VEINS) in the CEREBRUM, the CEREBELLUM, and the BRAIN STEM. Major categories include INTRACRANIAL ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS; BRAIN ISCHEMIA; CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE; and others.	Brain Vascular Disorders,Intracranial Vascular Disorders,Vascular Diseases, Intracranial,Cerebrovascular Diseases,Cerebrovascular Insufficiency,Cerebrovascular Occlusion,Brain Vascular Disorder,Cerebrovascular Disease,Cerebrovascular Disorder,Cerebrovascular Insufficiencies,Cerebrovascular Occlusions,Disease, Cerebrovascular,Diseases, Cerebrovascular,Insufficiencies, Cerebrovascular,Insufficiency, Cerebrovascular,Intracranial Vascular Disease,Intracranial Vascular Diseases,Intracranial Vascular Disorder,Occlusion, Cerebrovascular,Occlusions, Cerebrovascular,Vascular Disease, Intracranial,Vascular Disorder, Brain,Vascular Disorder, Intracranial,Vascular Disorders, Brain,Vascular Disorders, Intracranial
D003161	Compartment Syndromes	Conditions in which increased pressure within a limited space compromises the BLOOD CIRCULATION and function of tissue within that space. Some of the causes of increased pressure are TRAUMA, tight dressings, HEMORRHAGE, and exercise. Sequelae include nerve compression (NERVE COMPRESSION SYNDROMES); PARALYSIS; and ISCHEMIC CONTRACTURE. FASCIOTOMY is often used to decompress increased pressure and eliminate pain associated with compartment syndromes.	Compartment Syndrome
D006429	Hemiplegia	Severe or complete loss of motor function on one side of the body. This condition is usually caused by BRAIN DISEASES that are localized to the cerebral hemisphere opposite to the side of weakness. Less frequently, BRAIN STEM lesions; cervical SPINAL CORD DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; and other conditions may manifest as hemiplegia. The term hemiparesis (see PARESIS) refers to mild to moderate weakness involving one side of the body.	Monoplegia,Hemiplegia, Crossed,Hemiplegia, Flaccid,Hemiplegia, Infantile,Hemiplegia, Post-Ictal,Hemiplegia, Spastic,Hemiplegia, Transient,Crossed Hemiplegia,Crossed Hemiplegias,Flaccid Hemiplegia,Flaccid Hemiplegias,Hemiplegia, Post Ictal,Hemiplegias,Hemiplegias, Crossed,Hemiplegias, Flaccid,Hemiplegias, Infantile,Hemiplegias, Post-Ictal,Hemiplegias, Spastic,Hemiplegias, Transient,Infantile Hemiplegia,Infantile Hemiplegias,Monoplegias,Post-Ictal Hemiplegia,Post-Ictal Hemiplegias,Spastic Hemiplegia,Spastic Hemiplegias,Transient Hemiplegia,Transient Hemiplegias
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man