Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
06:01
A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
15.0K
Trigger Point Injection as a Rare Cause of Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report
Ceyda Tanoğlu1, Canan Duman İlki2, Alevtina Ersoy1
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University.
The Neurologist
|December 2, 2021
Summary
Trigger point injections (TPI) for myofascial pain can rarely cause serious complications. A patient experienced an ischemic stroke after TPI, highlighting the need for safer injection techniques.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common condition characterized by localized pain originating from myofascial trigger points.
- Trigger point injection (TPI) is a widely utilized therapeutic modality for managing MPS.
- Significant complications following TPI are infrequently documented in medical literature.
Observation:
- A young woman with chronic neck and arm pain underwent TPI in the trapezius muscle.
- During the procedure, she developed sudden blurred vision and left arm weakness.
- Cerebral imaging confirmed an ischemic stroke affecting the right capsular interna and occipital regions.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported instance of ischemic stroke occurring subsequent to TPI.
- The patient's neurological deficits were directly linked to the TPI procedure.
- The anatomical proximity of the injection site to cerebral vasculature is implicated.
Implications:
- The findings underscore a rare but severe potential risk associated with TPI.
- Implementing ultrasound guidance for neck muscle injections may mitigate the risk of such serious adverse events.
- This case emphasizes the importance of careful technique and advanced imaging in TPI procedures.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Stroke: Introduction and Types
A stroke is an acute neurological event caused by the sudden disruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to rapid loss of neuronal function. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief interruptions can cause irreversible injury within minutes. Strokes are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.Ischemic StrokeIschemic strokes are most common and occur due to arterial occlusion, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to energy failure, ionic...
01:15Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
01:15Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
01:17Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
01:26Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...