Neurologic sequelae of minor electric burns

Although neurologic pathology is a well-documented sequela of major electric burns, there are few reports of complications arising from less extensive electrically induced trauma. Two cases of patients with significant disease subsequent to minor electric burns are presented. In one patient with a 2% superficial partial-thickness burn of the right forearm, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and somatosensory evoked potential studies were consistent with right median mononeuropathy at the wrist and a distal slowing of the right ulnar nerve. The second patient presented with persistent numbness, hyperpathia, and burning in his left hand after an electric shock in a telephone booth. He had a creatine phosphokinase of 2000m mu/mL but no surface burn. A left stellate ganglion block provided complete resolution of his symptoms and established a diagnosis of minor reflex sympathetic dystrophy.