An unusual case of trismus and dysphagia

At one time the incidence of broken hypodermic needles was a fairly common occurrence in general dental practice. Fortunately the routine use of modern stainless steel needles has all but eliminated this emergency. Occasionally a patient may make a sudden movement during administration of local anaesthetic, particularly in the provision of an inferior dental block. A case is described where this occurred with subsequent fracture of the hypodermic needle. The patient experienced sudden trismus and dysphagia as the needle fragment became deeply impacted in the surrounding soft tissues.