• Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.483-485
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• 2018

A 34-year-old man who previously underwent a craniotomy due to oligodendroglioma was admitted with a diagnosis of recurrent brain tumor. An awake craniotomy was planned. Approximately 15 minutes after completing the scalp nerve block, his upper torso suddenly moved and trembled for 10 seconds, suggesting a generalized clonic seizure. He recovered gradually and fully in 55 minutes without any neurological sequelae. The emergency computed tomography scan revealed a localized fluid collection and small intracerebral hemorrhage nearby in the temporoparietal cortex beneath the skull defect. He underwent surgery under general anesthesia at 8 hours after the seizure and was discharged from the hospital after 10 days. This report documents the first case of generalized seizure that was caused by the accidental intracerebral injection of local anesthetics. Although the patient recovered completely, the clinical implications regarding the scalp infiltration technique in a patient with skull defects are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 2009

Case reports after accidental subdural injection during attempted epidural block have usually described extensive neuraxial blocks with a characteristic radiographic appearance on contrast injection. We experienced a case of cervical subdural injection with unusual clinical findings and radiographic appearance. A 51-year-old female patient with central herniated nucleus pulposus at cervical (C5/6) and lumbar level (L4/5, L5/S1) was referred to the pain clinic. During attempted cervical epidural block at the C6/7 interspace with fluoroscopy, injection of the 4 ml contrast showed posterior spread at cervical level. After cervical epidural steroid injection, the contrast was also confined to the posterior aspect of the spinal canal at lumbar level with fluoroscopy. In order to discriminate subdural space from epidural space, we performed transforaminal epidural injection of the 2 ml contrast at the L5/S1 interspace and we could confirm cervical epidural injection was made into the subdural space. We discuss the clinical characteristics of a subdural injection and the appearance of the cervical and lumbar subdurogram.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2011

We report two cases of accidental overdoses of intramuscular midazolam used for a conscious sedation. A 4-year-old boy with dental caries was scheduled for treatment under conscious sedation. The pedodontist prescribed midazolam ($dormicum^{(R)}$ 5 mg / 5 ml) 2 ml (2 mg) by verbal order to hygienist. The hygienist instead of the pedodontist wrote a prescription for midazolam ($dormicum^{(R)}$ 15 mg / 3 ml) 2 ml (10 mg). The inexperienced nurse gave an injection to his buttock as prescription. The child fell into a deep sedation. A 4-year-old boy with dental caries was scheduled for treatment under conscious sedation. The inexperienced pedodontist gave an injection to his buttock midazolam ($dormicum^{(R)}$ 15 mg / 3 ml) 3 ml (15 mg) instead of midazolam ($dormicum^{(R)}$ 5 mg / 5 ml) 3 ml (3 mg). The child fell into a deep sedation. Both cases had no complications, but the accidents happened as a result of the inexperienced dental staffs. The five times midazoalm instead of the intended doses was inadvertently given intramuscularly, fortunately caused no harm in our cases. However, the situations suggest that we should carefully check the dosage and review the correct procedures, even when using a drug that is considered to be familiar with most practitioners.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.104-109
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• 2001

We describe the accidental injection of local anesthetics containing steroid into the subdural space during an attempted lumbar epidural injection for intractable radiculopathy in a patient with failed back surgery syndrome. A 24-year-old man complained of severe radiating pain to left lower extremity and showed a walking disturbance and severe lumbar scoliosis. The MRI finding was a left paramedian recurred disc herniation on L4-5 in a laminectomy state. Several therapeutic modalities such as epidural steroid injection, transforaminal injection, L2 root block, medication, and exercise therapy, etc failed. Initially, during epidural block at L4-5 under fluoroscopic guidance, a railroad track appearance appeared on epidurogram suggesting the presence of a subdural space. A second epidural block was tried at L5-S1. Following confirmation of epidural space upon epidurogram, 6 ml of 0.5% lidocaine including triamcinolone 40 mg was injected. The patient showed signs of the subdural injection including an unexpectedly high sensory block (T2) and a motor weakness of both lower extremities. Following this event, the severe radiculopathy and lumbar scoliosis were improved. Therefore, we conclude that subdural injection of steroid could be helpful in intractable radiculopathy, especially in the failed back surgery syndrome. However, it must be used cautiously with careful patient selection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.159-163
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• 1995

Accidental high epidural block is a rare but serious complication. It can result from many factors, which include the volume and concentration of drug, posture, puncture site, age, pregnancy or intra-abdominal mass, and patients' height and weight. We had a case of accidental high epidural block recently. This is a case report which was confirmed by an epiduragram. A healthy 50-year-old woman with a huge uterine myoma was scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy under continous epidural analgesia. Epidural catheterization was carried out smoothly. However, an unexpected hypotension was noticed after an epidural injection of 2% lidocaine 25 ml. Thereafter, the patient was intubated and her respiration was controlled during the operation. Using the 5mg of ephedrine, her blood pressure and pulse were well maintained. The scheduled operation was carried out for one hour uneventfully, but after the operation, she felt paresthesia on her hands in the recovery room. To differentiate between the high epidural and the subdural blocks. We injected 5 ml of a water soluble Niopam 300 through the catheter postoperatively. It was observed on the epiduragram that the catheter was placed in the epidural space. It was suggested that the high epidural block was induced from the widespread diffusion through the narrowed epidural space due to the engorgement of the epidural venous plexus by the patient's huge uterine myoma.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.121-125
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• 1992

A 37-year-old male was admitted for left chest pain during a 6 months period and was given an epidural block for pain control. Vancomycin 500 mg/4 ml instead of 0.25% bupivacaine was accidentaly injected into the epidural space. The patient suddenly complained of an unexpected chest tightness and dyspnea after epidural injection. The patient was treated with steroids and local anesthetics via epidural space and recovered without any neurologic sequelae. The patient completely recovered on the 46th postadmission day and went home without any complaints. We report this case and review the accidental injection of substances into the epidural space.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2015

Background: Caudal epidural injections have been commonly performed in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. Although caudal injection has generally been accepted as a safe procedure, serious complications such as inadvertent intravascular injection and dural puncture can occur. The present prospective study was designed to investigate the influence of the depth of the inserted needle on the success rate of caudal epidural blocks. Methods: A total of 49 adults scheduled to receive caudal epidural injections were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 to receive the caudal injection through a conventional method, i.e., caudal injection after advancement of the needle 1 cm into the sacral canal (n = 25), and Group 2 to receive the injection through a new method, i.e., injection right after penetrating the sacrococcygeal ligament (n = 24). Ultrasound was used to identify the sacral hiatus and to achieve accurate needle placement according to the allocated groups. Contrast dyed fluoroscopy was obtained to evaluate the epidural spread of injected materials and to monitor the possible complications. Results: The success rates of the caudal injections were 68.0% in Group 1 and 95.8% in Group 2 (P = 0.023). The incidences of intravascular injections were 24.0% in Group 1 and 0% in Group 2 (P = 0.022). No intrathecal injection was found in either of the two groups. Conclusions: The new caudal epidural injection technique tested in this study is a reliable alternative, with a higher success rate and lower risk of accidental intravascular injection than the conventional technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.245-249
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• 2010

Purpose: High-pressure injection injury is caused by accidental injection of the high-pressure injection devices in industry. The initial benign appearance of the wound fools patients into delays in an adequate treatment. And it can result in disastrous outcomes such as necrosis and amputation. To avoid the poor prognosis, the injuries require a prompt surgical intervention. The purpose of this article is to recognize the poor outcome of the highpressure injection injury and to introduce an adequate treatment in need. Methods: We have 4 cases of the high-pressure injection injuries in the hand from April, 2005 to March, 2009. Average age is 39 years (30 - 49 years old), 2 cases are the palm of dominant hand, 1 case is the thumb of dominant hand, and 1 case is the palm of non-dominant hand, respectively. We followed up these patients for 20 months on average. In 3 cases, the immediate, aggressive surgical intervention was carried out, but the other one was delayed in early adequate treatment. The wounds were covered by local advancement flap, anterolateral thigh free flap, conservative treatment with antibiotics and dressing. Results: No pathogens after culture were found nor any findings of fracture in imaging study. Conservative treatment, local advancement flap and anterolateral thigh free flap for the open wound resulted in a desirable aesthetic outcome. In a long-term follow up, functional capability of the patient was also satisfactory. Conclusion: Upon initial evaluation, most high-pressure injection injuries present as innocuous wounds with very few symptoms and result in delaying the proper management. And the majority of high-pressure injection injuries will produce significant morbidity to the hand, amputation. And the initial aggressive surgical debridement was needed to prevent the poor outcome. The key to success in treating high-pressure injection injuries of the hand is the prompt aggressive surgical intervention.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.269-273
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• 2007

Purpose: High-pressure injection(HPI) injury is an injury caused by accidental injection of substances by industrial equipment. HPI injury of the hand is a serious injury that can be potentially devastating. There have been a number of publications on the results of its treatment and its functional outcome of these hands. Unfortunately, the clinical outcomes were unsatisfactory following an initial treatment approach of digital expression of the injection material, elevation, soaks, dressing changes, and antibiotics. Methods: A 43-year-old right handed man sustained a high pressure injection injury to the tip of the left index finger. The injected material was industrial paint thinner. Tissue necrosis was noted at the pulp of the finger. Several debridements and irrigation were required. A pedicled chest flap transfer was performed on the eighteenth day after injury as the dorsal nail complex remained viable. This is a retrospective review of our experience with high-pressure finger injection injury caused by paint. A literature review, retrospective chart and radiologic review were presented. Results: Follow-up length was about 1 year. The injuried hand was left nondominant hand, the index. Patient complaints were cold intolerance, paresthesia, contact pain, and impairment of activities of daily living. Conclusion: The outcome of high-pressure injection injuries of the hand is affected by many factors. The time between injury and operative treatment has been regarded as a key determinant by a number of authors. The nature of the injected material is probably more important. It has been noted by many authors that injuries with paints have a worse outcome than those with oil or grease. This study confirms the fact that high-pressure injection injury caused by paint thinner to the hand is a significant problem. Virtually a patient suffers sequelae of this injury. The injury has significant repercussions for future function and reintegration into the work force.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.265-269
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• 1993

Subdural block is a rare but well recognized complication of epidural anesthesia. The placement of local anesthetics into the subdural space can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions. A healthy 46-year-old women underwent total abdominal hysterectomy under continuous lumber epidural anesthesia. The technical procedure for continuous epidural catheterization went smoothly without a single problem. However, signs of high epidural block such as apnea, cranial nerve paralysis and pupil dilatation developed gradually, about 20 minutes after the epidural injection of 2% lidocaine 20 ml through the epidural catheter. Such extensive segmental block can only be explained as the result of injection into subdural space even if it was not confirmed radiologically.