[Fatal outcome of a cervical nerve block]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
Published on: November 21, 2025
H Höer1, W Schregel, U Wildförster
1Klinik für Anästhesie und operative Intensivmedizin, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr-Universität, In der Schornau 23-25, D-44892 Bochum.
Abstract:
A patient with brachialgia was admitted to a surgical clinic and a cervical nerve block was performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Acute severe cervical pain prevented completion of the procedure. On the following day the patient developed incomplete paralysis of both legs and arms and was transferred to a neurosurgical department for further diagnosis and therapy. The CT scan showed a space-occupying cervical intraspinal haematoma, which was removed immediately as far as possible by a dorsal approach. Postoperatively little improvement of neurologic function was noticed, and 11 days after the event the patient died from a massive pulmonary embolism despite intense resuscitation efforts.
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