Horner syndrome after cervical spine corticosteroid injection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pain Management
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Horner syndrome is a clinical presentation resulting from damage to the sympathetic nerve pathway to the face and eye.
• It is characterized by ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis.
• While various cervical pathologies can cause Horner syndrome, iatrogenic causes are less common.

Observation:

• This case report describes a patient who developed Horner syndrome subsequent to receiving a corticosteroid injection in a cervical facet joint.
• The onset of symptoms was noted after the procedure.

Findings:

• This represents the first documented instance of Horner syndrome occurring after a cervical facet joint corticosteroid injection.
• The findings suggest a potential, albeit rare, complication of this interventional pain procedure.

Implications:

• Cervical facet joint corticosteroid injections may carry a risk of inducing Horner syndrome.
• Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse event and consider it in the differential diagnosis of new-onset Horner syndrome in patients who have undergone such procedures.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism and incidence of this complication.