Broken spinal needle: case report and review of the literature

The occurrence of broken spinal and epidural needles has been reported. However, most case reports have focused primarily on prevention rather than on management. A broken spinal needle fragment was left in a patient before it was removed one month later due to back pain.     

Foreign body in the median nerve: a complication of acupuncture

Fracture of an acupuncture needle resulted in a foreign body within the carpal tunnel of a patient who then developed median neuropathy. The needle fragment was recovered from within the median nerve during carpal tunnel release, with rapid post-operative relief of symptoms. Development of peripheral neuropathy is a potential complication of acupuncture.     

The use of a fine-gauge needle to reduce pain in open carpal tunnel decompression: a randomized controlled trial

This randomized controlled study on 86 patients compared the level of pain experienced by patients on instillation of local anaesthetic into the palm with a 23-gauge and a 27-gauge (dental) needle in open carpal tunnel decompression. Patients were asked to score the amount of pain they experienced during the injection of the local anaesthetic and their level of anxiety about future injections using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a four-point verbal response scale (VRS). The mean pain and anxiety scores on the VAS were significantly lower in the dental needle group. There was significant correlation between the pain and anxiety VAS scores. When infiltrating local anaesthetic into the palm for open carpal tunnel decompression, the use of a fine (dental) needle can reduce the pain on that occasion and the anxiety concerning future injections likely to be experienced by the patient.     

Successful removal of metalic foreign body from brain and internal carotid artery with a platinum-Cobalt magnet alloy

Two successful removals of metalic foreign body with a platinum-Cobalt magnet alloy (Pt-Co magnet) which has a size of 4×4 mm and is capable of lifting 120 g of weight were reported, one a metal fragment from the brain via a inlet track, and the other a needle from the internal carotid artery. A metal piece of motorcycle was accidentally flew in which was demonstrated by X-ray examination of the skull. Pt-Co magnet was inserted into the entrance hole on the right eyebrow under fluoroscopic control. The metal fragment of 20×4×1 mm size was pulled out with minimal damage to the surrounding brain tissues. The other was the accidental breakage of a needle tip during carotid angiography. A needle tip remained in the internal carotid artery at cranial base was successfully removed with a Pt-Co magnet inserted through the previous injection site.     

Comparison of the Wand with a conventional technique.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to compare the Wand computer-controlled anesthetic delivery system with a conventional technique as to pain of needle insertion and the pain during injection according to the patient's dental anxiety levels. STUDY DESIGN: The study sample comprised 52 healthy patients about to undergo routine tooth extraction. A dental anxiety scale was used to determine anxiety levels before anesthetic administration. Anesthesia technique selection was made according to the patients' anxiety level. After each injection, patients completed pain rating score and visual analog scale to rate their pain perception during needle insertion and injection. RESULTS: The patients receiving the Wand system reported significantly less pain of needle insertion and less pain during injection (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, although the anxiety levels of patients were higher in Wand injection than conventional syringe injection, the Wand seemed to be less painful. However, the mean ratings of pain were mostly mild or no pain for both injections.     

Cervical spinal cord injury caused by a broken acupuncture needle: a case report]

Spinal cord injury is a rare but considerable complication of acupuncture. A case with cervical spinal cord injury caused by a broken acupuncture needle was reported and sixteen previously reported cases including our case were reviewed. A 49-year-old woman was treated by herself with acupuncture on the nuchal region for occipitalgia, and the needle was accidentally broken during the treatment. Six hours later she noticed pain and numbness in the right upper and lower extremities. Neurological examination revealed slight impairment of temperature, pain and touch sensation on the right extremities. Plain X-ray film and CT scan showed a broken needle in the interspinous ligament between C1/C2 vertebrae, the tip of the needle appearing to be in the spinal canal. The needle was removed surgically nineteen days after the accident. Intraoperative fluoroscopic monitoring with injection of dye enabled the needle to be found without difficulty. Postoperative course was uneventful, and her pain and sensory impairment gradually disappeared. Once the diagnosis for cervical spinal cord injury by an acupuncture needle is made, the needle should be removed surgically as soon as possible, especially prior to the development of motor symptoms. This is because movement of the needle in the spinal cord is considered to be a main possible cause of the development and progression of symptoms.     

Spinal cord injury by a broken acupuncture needle--a case report

Acupuncture has been widely performed for the treatment of many different disorders in Japan. Several complications of acupuncture such as pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, serum hepatitis have been reported. Accidentally broken needle is also one of the causes of complications of acupuncture. Usually it produces little problem, but may cause spinal cord injury, as presented by this report. The patient was a 49-year-old man who received an acupuncture procedure in his left nuchal region for shoulder pain. During acupuncture the needle was accidentally broken. The needle was tried to be removed by a surgeon on the same day but it could not be found. He was seen at our hospital with no neurological deficit 3 month later. Plain X-ray films and CT scan revealed a 4 cm long needle between C2 and C3 vertebrae penetrating into the cord. The needle was removed to prevent the possible neurological deficit which might be produced by the moving needle. The operative procedure was done under operating microscope with the aids of X-ray monitoring and injected dye. The direction to reach the tail of the broken needle is most important for avoiding further spinal cord injury during procedure. The post-operative course of the patient was uneventful and he was discharged with no deficit.     

Percutaneous electrode placement for spinal cord stimulation in a patient with spinal fusion: a technical report

A spinal cord stimulation (SCS) trial was attempted to alleviate left knee pain in a patient with spinal fusion from T12 to L4. Good paresthesia coverage for the knee pain was attained with SCS. However, while removing the needle used for electrode placement, the needle became fixed in the bony supplementary tissue. Moreover, while attempting to remove the needle using Kelly forceps, the hub of the needle became blocked. Without the hub, we had no choice but to use a pneumatic drill for removing the needle. Accordingly, the supplementary bone tissue was drilled under real-time imaging, using a pneumatic drill with a 3.2-mm drill bit, and another epidural needle was inserted through the hole. We consider that, in patients with spinal fusion, making a borehole with a pneumatic drill for introducing the epidural needle for percutaneous SCS electrode placement may be advisable in order to avoid the above-mentioned difficulties.     

The use of topical lidocaine/prilocaine cream prior to childhood circumcision under local anesthesia

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of prior application of topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics, EMLA, in alleviating the pain associated with infiltration local anesthetic (LA) for circumcision in children and to assess its impact on the outcome. A total of 173 children aged 3-13 years requiring circumcision were randomly assigned to have EMLA or placebo cream applied over the root of the penis 1 h before subcutaneous ring block. A blinded observer rated the pain response on a 10-point visual scale during needle insertion, injection of local anesthetic and circumcision. Children needing conversion to general anesthesia (GA) were counted as failures. A total of 89 and 82 boys were included in the EMLA group and placebo group, respectively. Significantly lower pain scores were recorded for needle puncture in the former group (P<0.001), whilst pain scores for injection and during circumcision were not statistically different between the two groups (P=0.037 and 0.138, respectively). A total of 88 out of the 89 boys pre-treated with EMLA completed the procedure, whereas seven boys in the placebo group necessitated conversion to GA (P=0.022). The converted cases had higher values for all pain scores and tended to be younger. Therefore, EMLA cream is a useful adjunct to LA for childhood circumcision because it effectively reduces the sharp pain induced by needle puncture. However, careful patient selection is required for a low conversion rate to GA.     

Paraplegia after intracord injection during attempted epidural steroid injection in an awake-patient

Epidural steroid injection is recommended in patients with back ache from spinal and radicular pain or pain suggestive of radiculopathy. During needle placement and injections, clinicians often rely on the patient's complaint of paresthesia or shooting pain along the nerve root, dura, or cord in case a needle pierces these areas. We report the accidental intracord injection of steroid solution during epidural block using fluoroscopy in a conscious patient, which caused paraplegia. This case suggests failure of undue reliance on a patient reporting pain in the vicinity of needle puncturing the spinal cord structures. IMPLICATIONS: Intracord injection of triamcinolone acetate and local anesthetic, resulting in permanent paraplegia, may occur in conscious patients.     

Intrapulmonary aberrant needle; report of a case

Intrapulmonary aberrant needles are rarely encountered in clinical practice. An intrathoracic aberrant needle should be always surgically removed as soon as possible. We report a case of an intrapulmonary aberrant needle removed with video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) and briefly review the literature. A 47-year-old man referred to us for chest discomfort was found to have an intrapulmonary aberrant needle at the right middle lobe by chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT). We tried simple extraction under thoracoscopy, but a residual fragment was recognized by intraoperative X-ray after the removal of the needle from the surface of the lung. We searched for the residual fragment by real-time fluoroscopic examination. Partial resection was performed to remove the residual needle fragment at the right lower lobe. The postoperative course was uneventful and the man was discharged on the postoperative day 10. Intraoperative chest X-ray is always necessary before closing the chest to avoid leaving the residual fragments in the lung. The real-time fluoroscopy is useful to search for the residual fragment.     

Efficacy of EMLA® cream prior to dorsal penile nerve block for circumcision in children

Background : While circumcision may be performed solely with dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB), some painful steps in its use are skin needle penetration and infiltration of the anesthetic product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EML® cream, prior to DPNB for circumcision in children.
Methods : We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with 42 children undergoing circumcision with DPNB alone, as an ambulatory procedure. Overall efficacy of EMLA® cream (Group A) during needle penetration and infiltration was assessed using a visual analog scale, compared with a placebo cream (Group B). Patients were asked to orally report any pain during skin needle penetration and infiltration of anesthetic, and were graded from 1 to 4 according to intensity of pain, as 1) none, 2) slight, 3) moderate, or 4) severe. The child graded the global discomfort of the entire procedure using the visual analog scale.
Results : When assessing needle penetration, none from Group A suffered any pain, whereas all from Group B suffered at least mild pain. Considering infiltration of the anesthetic, all children suffered at least slight-to-moderate pain. Based on the children's visual analog scale scores, EMLA® cream has no beneficial effect for penile block.
Conclusion : Since the dorsal penile nerves are located under the Buck's fascia, topical anesthesia may not reach them and other techniques may be necessary to anesthetize them. We found that although EMLA® cream is efficient as a topical anesthesia during needle penetration for DPNB, it has no beneficial effect during infiltration.     

Jet injection of local anesthetic decreases pain of arterial cannulation in awake neurosurgical patients

Arterial cannulation through the standard skin wheal of local anesthetic raised with a needle may be painful. The authors compared the efficacy of local anesthetic injected via a 25G needle versus a Bioject jet injector for arterial cannulation in awake neurosurgical patients. After institutional review board approval, 40 patients were randomized to receive 0.3 mL 1% lidocaine adjusted to pH 7.0 with NaHCO3 by Bioject with a 2-cm spacer between the syringe and skin or by 25G needle injection. Two pain assessments were used at the time of local anesthetic injection and at arterial cannulation. Patients rated their pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 100 = worst pain). Observers scored patient response as 0 (no response), 1 (flinch), or 2 (withdrawal). The VAS at injection was 23 +/- 19 for the needle group and 3 +/- 6 for the Bioject group (P < 0.001). The VAS at arterial cannulation was 39 +/- 25 for the needle group and 15 +/- 22 for the Bioject group (P < 0.001). Median observer scores at injection and cannulation were 1 (range 0-2) for the needle group and 0 (range 0-2) for the Bioject group (P < 0.001). Patients in the Bioject group experienced significantly less pain during lidocaine administration and at the time of arterial cannulation by their own and by an observer's assessment than the needle injection group. Jet injection of local anesthetic should be considered prior to arterial cannulation in awake patients.     

Randomized clinical trial of the effect of needle gauge and local anaesthetic on the pain of breast fine-needle aspiration cytology

BACKGROUND: Breast fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an invasive investigation which can be uncomfortable or distressing. This randomized study investigated the discomfort of breast FNAC and the effect of different techniques. METHODS: Some 116 FNAC samples were taken from 98 women with a palpable breast mass. Each patient was randomized to one of four study groups; aspiration was performed using a green-hub (21 G) or blue-hub (23 G) needle, either with or without local anaesthetic. Each patient scored the pain of the whole procedure using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: A green-hub needle caused significantly more discomfort (mean(s.e.m.) pain score 5.1(0. 4) cm) than a blue-hub needle (2.9(0.4) cm), or either a blue- or green-hub needle with local anaesthetic (3.0(0.4) and 2.1(0.4) cm respectively) (F = 10.28, 3112 d.f., P < 0.01, analysis of variance). CONCLUSION: The discomfort of breast FNAC is dependent upon the gauge of the needle and the use of local anaesthetic. A blue-hub needle without local anaesthetic should be first choice for breast FNAC.     

Pain perception during transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy: an objective analysis of local anesthesia use

We assessed the effect of periprostatic nerve blockade during transrectal ultrasound of the prostate prior to obtaining systematic needle biopsies and the discomfort associated with this procedure. A prospective randomized study was performed on 100 men requiring systematic needle biopsy of the prostate. Patients were assigned to two groups: Group 1 received no local anesthesia and Group 2 received a periprostatic injection of 5 ml 1% lidocaine solution (2.5 ml bilaterally) prior to undergoing biopsy of the prostate. The patients were asked to respond to a pre- and post-procedural questionnaire which consisted of four questions designed to evaluate pain perception and pain experienced, respectively, during the entire procedure. Mean pain scores for Group 1 responses vs Group 2 responses were not statistically different for any of the pre-procedural questions. Post-procedural pain scores were significantly lower in Group 2 vs Group 1 (control) for questions 1 and 3: question 1 (2.6+/-1.8 vs 3.8+/-1.8, P<0.05), question 2 (3.0+/-1.9 vs 3.7+/-2.1, P=0.14). Question 3 (2.8+/-2.0 vs 4.3+/-1.9, P<0.05), and question 4 (1.6+/-2.4 vs 2.1+/-2.6, P=0.38). During the study, no patient from Group 2 experienced any adverse reaction from the injection. Our data suggest that periprostatic nerve blockade during transrectal ultrasound of the prostate results in less patient discomfort.     

Rectal Sensation Test Helps Avoid Pain of Apical Prostate Biopsy

PurposeApical cores obtained during transrectal prostate biopsy are associated with greaterpain than cores obtained from the remainder of the gland. We present a method to minimize this pain.Materials and MethodsDuring 30 consecutive apical biopsies the needle was purposefully placed above all rectal pain fibers, which are anatomically present only below the dentate line. All patients received a periprostatic nerve block prior to biopsy. The patient was asked if he felt the sharp sensation of the needle as it was placed lightly against the rectal mucosa when the needle was aimed at apex (the rectal sensation test). If so, the needle was advanced cranially 2 to 3 mm or until he could no longer detect its light touch. The probe handle was then rotated dorsally, pulling the rectal mucosa downward until the needle was again aimed at the apex. Patients were asked to report a visual analog pain score for each biopsy. These results were compared to those obtained when doing 30 consecutive apical biopsies without the rectal sensation test.ResultsThe average visual analog pain score for apical biopsy was 1.25 (range 0 to 2.2) for patients in whom the rectal sensation test was used to bypass rectal pain sensory fibers. The average score in control patients in whom the rectal sensation test was not used was higher at 2.28 (range 0.3–6.2). These results were statistically significant (p > 0.0005).ConclusionsIncreased sensitivity to apical prostate biopsy is due to rectal pain fibers located below the dentate line. These fibers and the associated pain may be safely avoided by passing through the rectal wall above the dentate line. The rectal sensation test easily identifies the sensate area below the dentate line. Painless apical biopsy can then be achieved by rotating the ultrasound probe to aim the biopsy needle in the desired path.     

A sheared off and sequestered epidural catheter: a case report

This is a report of a retained epidural catheter segment after placement of 20-G polyethylene catheter (Hakko Medical) through 17-G Tuohy needle and 25-G spinal needle (Top Company) for a patient receiving combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Retained catheter fragment (approximately 10.6 cm) was removed easily with small incision under local anesthesia. Electron microscopic findings of the catheter showed that the catheter might have been traumatized by the Tuohy needle through which the catheter was placed or by the spinal needle for intrathecal anesthesia, resulting in having been sheared off.     

Subarachnoid lumbar drains: A case series of fractured catheters and a near miss

PURPOSE: Lumbar subarachnoid catheters for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage (lumbar drains) are indicated for several medical and surgical conditions. A number of complications can occur from the placement of this type of catheter, including catheter breakage from excessive traction or shearing over the Tuohy needle. CLINICAL FEATURES: Five cases of lumbar subarachnoid catheter breakage/shearing and catheter fragment retention, as well as one near miss, were identified over a one-year period at a single institution. All (n = 6) patients were undergoing neurosurgical procedures. Four patients required surgical retrieval of the catheter fragments. No patient experienced log-term neurological sequelae. DISCUSSION: From these experiences, the following risks factors for catheter rupture are identified: 1) intentional or accidental retraction of the catheter through the needle during placement; 2) faulty use of the guidewire; or 3) use of excessive force during removal of the catheter. Methods to prevent such complications are suggested, including minimal use, or complete avoidance of a guidewire.     

An audit of pain/discomfort experienced during image-guided breast biopsy procedures

A prospective audit of 221 breast biopsies was carried out to assess the pain/discomfort experienced during image-guided breast biopsies. The only significant factor in pain scores was the size of the needle used. Fine-needle aspiration cytology using a 21-gauge needle was found to cause the most discomfort.     

Is local anesthesia necessary for spinal needle insertion?]

It is a routine procedure for anesthesiologists to use local anesthesia (LA) before spinal needle insertion (SNI), but LA itself produces pain on injection. We evaluated the necessity of LA before spinal block using a 25-gauge needle by questioning whether LA makes SNI painless and easy. Sixty patients without lumbar abnormality for spinal block were allocated to 3 groups: Group A, LA with 2 ml of 1% lidocaine using a 24-gauge needle; Group B, LA with 0.5 ml of 1% lidocaine using a 27-gauge needle; Group C, without LA. Visual analog pain scales of LA and SNI were obtained respectively. Though LA reduced the pain associated with SNI, total pain scales in Group A and Group B were significantly larger than those in Group C. The pain scale of LA was significantly lower in Group B than Group A, but there were no significant differences in the pain on SNI between the Groups. The times needed for SNI were not significantly different among the three Groups. In conclusion, LA with 2 ml of 1% lidocaine using a 24-gauge needle is not useful for pain relief on spinal block using a 25-gauge needle. Intradermal anesthesia using a 27-gauge needle is preferable to reduce the pain on SNI, if LA is necessary.