Treatment of Isolated Sternal Fracture with Ultrasound-Guided Paravertebral Nerve Block: a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

In the case of isolated sternal fractures, conservative treatment with analgesics is common, but pain can persist for more than 10 weeks, which can significantly interfere with daily life. Ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block is reported to be a successful means of pain control in patients with chest wall injury or rib fracture. A 70-year-old female patient presented with anterior chest pain that had persisted for 2 weeks despite conservative treatment. Sagittal reconstruction chest computed tomography and sternum lateral oblique x-ray revealed an isolated sternal fracture. An ultrasound-guided bilateral paravertebral nerve block was performed for pain control. After performing the procedure twice at a 1-week interval, the patient reported complete pain alleviation, and no other problems were observed over the 3-month follow-up period. Ultrasound-guided bilateral paravertebral nerve block can help patients with isolated sternal fractures to manage pain and return to normal activities sooner than with oral analgesics.

Keywords

• fracture
• nerve block
• pain management
• sternum
• ultrasonography