A Severe Retropharyngeal Hematoma after Stellate Ganglion Block: A case report / 대한통증학회지

ABSTRACT

A 73-year-old man with sudden sensory neural hearing loss received a stellate ganglion block. Two hours after the block, the patient complained of newly developed neck discomfort. After an additional two hours, the neck swelled up gradually and neck pain and dyspnea developed. A plain radiograph of neck revealed narrowing of the upper airway; a tracheostomy was performed and the dyspnea was improved. On the next day, the pain site extended to the right scapula and a CT image revealed a huge retropharyngeal hematoma. Hematoma evacuation and bleeder ligation were then performed and the patient was discharged on the fourth day after admission without any complications. A practitioner should always remember to educate the patients about possible complications and undertake intensive observation when performing procedures, even in patients who do not initially present with a compromised airway.