Case Rep Anesthesiol. 2026 Jan 28;2026:6326787. doi: 10.1155/cria/6326787. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
Catheter breakage is a rare complication of continuous peripheral nerve blocks. Retained fragments pose a significant technical challenge, particularly when they migrate from the insertion site. We report a 39-year-old woman with Fabry disease and chronic foot pain refractory to pharmacologic therapy who, after a successful diagnostic posterior tibial nerve block, received a continuous peripheral nerve catheter. She initially experienced excellent analgesia but, by Day 4, developed severe neuropathic symptoms; imaging showed proximal migration of a catheter fragment. Computed tomography and fluoroscopy guided surgical retrieval of the fragment was performed. This case highlights the need for early recognition of catheter-related complications, precise localization with advanced imaging, and timely surgical intervention to reduce adverse outcomes from retained catheter fragments.
PMID:42756728 | PMC:PMC13584322 | DOI:10.1155/cria/6326787