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. 2010 Apr;58(4):401-4.
doi: 10.4097/kjae.2010.58.4.401. Epub 2010 Apr 26.

Generalized infection following facet joint injection -A case report-

Sae Young Kim  1 , Sung Ho Han, Min Woo Jung, Ji Hee Hong
Affiliations

Generalized infection following facet joint injection -A case report-

Sae Young Kim et al. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Facet joints have been shown to be a source of chronic low back pain, and it is generally accepted in clinical practice that diagnostic and therapeutic facet joint injections are the most reliable technique for the treatment of facet joint pain, which is considered to be an easy and safe procedure. Serious complications and side effects are uncommon after facet joint injection. However, infectious complications including septic arthritis, epidural abscess, meningitis and endocarditis have been reported following facet joint injections. We report here the first case of death following lumbar facet joint injection due to generalized infection.

Keywords: Abscess; Facet joint; Infection; Low back pain.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Magnetic resonance imaging. T2-weighted sagittal images (A) and axial images (B) shows multifocal abscess formation of lower L-spine (white arrow), left lower back muscles (black arrow), left psoas muscle (star) and metal artifact at L5-S1 level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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