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Pourfour Du Petit syndrome after interscalene block
Mysore Chandramouli Basappji Santhosh1, Rohini B Pai, Raghavendra P Rao
1Department of Anaesthesiology, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia
|August 20, 2013
Summary
Interscalene blocks can cause Horner's syndrome. This case study details a rare instance of Pourfour Du Petit syndrome, the opposite condition, occurring after this common nerve block.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Interscalene brachial plexus block is a frequent regional anesthesia technique.
- Common side effects include phrenic, recurrent laryngeal, and cervical sympathetic nerve blocks, leading to Horner's syndrome.
Observation:
- A 24-year-old male developed Pourfour Du Petit syndrome after an interscalene block.
- This syndrome presented with clinical signs opposite to Horner's syndrome.
Findings:
- The patient experienced miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis on the contralateral side of the block.
- This is a rare and paradoxical neurological complication of interscalene block.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare neurological complications beyond typical nerve blocks.
- Understanding these opposite presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management in regional anesthesia.
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