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. 2010 Jul;54(4):324-6.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.68376.

Locked-in syndrome during stellate ganglion block

A Chaturvedi  1 , Hh Dash
Affiliations

Locked-in syndrome during stellate ganglion block

A Chaturvedi et al. Indian J Anaesth. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Intra-arterial injection of a local anaesthetic during stellate ganglion blockade may cause life-threatening complications. The usual complications are apnoea, unconsciousness and seizures. However, occasionally an unusual complication, 'locked-in' syndrome, has also been reported. In this syndrome the patients remain conscious despite their inability to move, breathe or speak. Here we describe a patient who developed features akin to the locked-in syndrome along with severe hypotension and bradycardia, after an injection of only 2 ml of lignocaine during a stellate ganglion block.

Keywords: Arterial injection; locked-in syndrome; stellate ganglion block.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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