Symptomatic axillary hematoma after ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in a patient with undiagnosed upper extremity mycotic aneurysms

Anesth Analg. 2010 Oct;111(4):1069-71. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181ee80b3. Epub 2010 Aug 12.

Abstract

We present a case of axillary hematoma complicating an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in a patient with undiagnosed mycotic aneurysms of the peripheral arteries. Mycotic aneurysm is a rare medical condition with well-identified risk factors. When performing regional anesthesia in patients with these risk factors, clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion about the possible existence of vascular anomalies. A preprocedure Doppler study of the block area and real-time guidance of the needle using ultrasound may be useful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, Infected / microbiology*
  • Arm / blood supply
  • Arm / microbiology*
  • Axilla / blood supply
  • Axilla / microbiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hematoma / diagnosis
  • Hematoma / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Nerve Block* / adverse effects
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional* / adverse effects