title: Needle in the external auditory canal: an unusual complication of inferior alveolar nerve block.
abstract: Inferior alveolar nerve block is used to anesthetize the ipsilateral mandible. The most commonly used technique is one in which the anesthetic is injected directly into the pterygomandibular space, by an intraoral approach. The fracture of the needle, although uncommon, can lead to potentially serious complications. The needle is usually found in the pterygomandibular space, although it can migrate and damage adjacent structures, with variable consequences. The authors report an unusual case of a fractured needle, migrating to the external auditory canal, as a result of an inferior alveolar nerve block.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Electronic address: leandro.ribeiro@live.com.pt.
authors.forename: Leandro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerós
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Edite Coimbra
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faria e Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Condé
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve; D009339:Needles; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed