[Ultrasound guided locoregional anaesthesia: realization and diagnosis of complications]

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2009 Jun;28(6):584-7. doi: 10.1016/j.annfar.2009.03.016. Epub 2009 May 22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Ultrasound has become a daily practice for anesthesiologists for central venous catheterization and regional anaesthesia, but also for the diagnosis of pleuro-pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular diseases; this is illustrated by our observation. We report a case of a cirrhotic patient who underwent emergency surgery for a Colle's fracture under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block which was complicated by acute dyspnoea. The use of ultrasound in the operating theater has revealed hepatic hydrothorax which occurred during a diaphragmatic paralysis secondary to the blocking of phrenic nerve due to the regional anaesthesia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anesthesia, Conduction / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Conduction / methods*
  • Clavicle / diagnostic imaging
  • Dyspnea / complications
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hydrothorax / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Male
  • Nerve Block
  • Phrenic Nerve / physiology
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnosis
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Paralysis / etiology
  • Ultrasonics*
  • Ultrasonography