Temporary Diplopia After Gow-Gates Injection: Case Report and Review.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Anesthesiology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Local anesthetic techniques are crucial in dental and minor surgical procedures.
• Complications, though rare, can arise from anesthetic administration.
• The Gow-Gates mandibular block is a common technique for inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia.

Observation:

• A patient experienced transient blurred, double vision (diplopia) after receiving a Gow-Gates mandibular block.
• The complication was temporary, resolving without specific intervention.

Findings:

• Potential etiologies for the diplopia include intra-arterial or intravenous injection of the local anesthetic.
• Anesthetic diffusion through tissue planes or involvement of the autonomic nervous system are also considered.
• The case highlights the importance of understanding potential complications associated with nerve blocks.

Implications:

• Clinicians must be vigilant in recognizing and managing adverse events during local anesthesia.
• Awareness of potential complications improves patient safety and outcomes.
• This case contributes to the literature on rare neurological complications of dental anesthesia.