Removal of a broken needle using three-dimensional computed tomography: a case report

Abstract

Inferior alveolar nerve block obtained maximum anesthetic effect using a small dose of local anesthetic agent, which also has low a complication incidence. Complications of an inferior alveolar nerve block include direct nerve damage, bleeding, trismus, temporary facial nerve palsy, and etc. Among them, the major iatrogenic complication is dental needle fracture. A fragment that disappears into the soft tissue would be hard to remove, giving rise to a legal problem. A 31-year-old woman was referred for the removal of a broken needle, following an inferior alveolar nerve block. Management involved the removal of the needle under local anesthesia with pre- and peri-operative computed tomography scans.