Horner's Syndrome as a Complication of Ultrasound-Guided Central Cannulation: A Case Report

Cureus. 2022 Sep 2;14(9):e28700. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28700. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Cannulation of the internal jugular vein is often necessary for the management of critically ill patients. Despite being a very common procedure and performed more and more safely, several complications still occur. Horner's Syndrome (HS) is one of those complications described before the use of ultrasound as a method of guidance. HS is caused by functional interruption of sympathetic nerve supply to the eye, leading to a classic triad of ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. We present the case of a patient, in need of emergent surgery to control the hemorrhagic focus after delivery, with a transient HS secondary to internal jugular vein cannulation under real-time ultrasound guidance.

Keywords: catheterization; horner’s syndrome; internal jugular vein; obstetrics anesthesia; postpartum; ptosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports