Peripheral nerve injury and causalgia secondary to routine venipuncture

Neurology. 1994 May;44(5):962-4. doi: 10.1212/wnl.44.5.962.

Abstract

I examined 11 patients with upper-extremity causalgia secondary to peripheral nerve injury occurring during routine venipuncture. The nerves affected were the medial (n = 5) and lateral (n = 2) antebrachial cutaneous in the antecubital fossa, the superficial radial at the wrist (n = 2), and the dorsal sensory branches in the hand (n = 2). Anatomically, nerves lie on a plane just beneath and in close proximity to veins, making them vulnerable to injury during the procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arm
  • Bloodletting / adverse effects*
  • Causalgia / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries*