Intrathecal Injection: Unusual Complication of Trigger-Point Injection Therapy, , ,

Trigger-point injection therapy is a common procedure in primary care medicine and emergency medicine and is generally considered safe. A 28-year-old woman experienced respiratory depression and hemiplegia after the injection of a superficial trapezius trigger point. The patient required emergency tracheal intubation for ventilatory support. Computed tomography of her head revealed pneumocephalus. She recovered fully over the course of 24 hours. Intrathecal injection during a trigger-point injection is a previously unreported complication of trigger-point injection therapy. [Nelson LS, Hoffman RS: Intrathecal injection: Unusual complication of trigger-point injection therapy. Ann Emerg Med October 1998;32:506-508.]