Migration of a supraclavicular catheter for complex regional pain syndrome

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome is a multifaceted painful condition whose diagnosis is still vague, whose exact pathogenesis is unknown, and whose characteristics change over time. The mainstay of treatment is restoration of function by physical therapy. Currently aggressive multimodal therapy is recommended to achieve pain remission and improvement in activity. If sympathetic blocks fail to help, continuous somatic block via catheter is used to facilitate with pain control. After catheter placement careful monitoring is required to prevent complications or to treat them promptly. One of the less common complications is migration of the catheter. Management of migration requires recognition of the problem, proper diagnostic tests to rule out other associated complications, and careful removal of the catheter.