Phlebotomy-Related Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve Injury

Stitik TP, Foye PM, Nadler SF, Brachman GO: Phlebotomy-related lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve injury. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:230–234.Although phlebotomy is a common and widespread procedure, the medical literature provides limited information in terms of the documented complications of venipuncture. Documentation of phlebotomy-related nerve injuries is even more limited. The authors present a case report of a phlebotomy-induced lesion of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. According to our literature search, this is the first case in which electrodiagnostic studies were used to document venipuncture-related injury of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Specific electrodiagnostic testing is used to definitively diagnose this rare injury and to track recovery. Electrodiagnostic testing can be helpful in evaluating cases of sensory disturbance after phlebotomy.