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Anesthesiology289 papers

Neurological complication of procedure

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Neurological complications arising from procedural sedation and neuromuscular blockade management can include residual neuromuscular blockade, sedation-related adverse events, and rare complications such as pneumocephalus. These complications are particularly relevant in settings like MRI under sedation and perioperative care.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Assessment: Monitor for signs of residual neuromuscular blockade (e.g., muscle weakness, respiratory compromise) 11.
  • Quantitative Monitoring: Use quantitative neuromuscular monitoring tools like train-of-four (TOF) count to assess depth of blockade 1115.
  • Adverse Event Surveillance: Regularly evaluate for sedation-related complications such as hypotension, hypoxia, and prolonged sedation 15.
  • Management

  • Reversal Agents: Utilize sugammadex for rapid reversal of rocuronium and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade 3414.
  • Sedation Protocols: Employ anesthesiologist-led sedation for higher safety standards, especially in pediatric MRI procedures 156.
  • Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring of vital signs and neuromuscular function during procedures 111.
  • Drug Selection: Choose appropriate sedative agents based on patient age and procedure requirements (e.g., chloral hydrate for children, propofol for adults) 520.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Use age-appropriate sedative agents like chloral hydrate or buccal dexmedetomidine, with close monitoring for respiratory and hemodynamic stability 510.
  • Elderly: Exercise caution with prolonged sedation and continuous monitoring for cognitive and respiratory complications 122.
  • Comorbidities: Tailor sedation and neuromuscular blockade management considering comorbidities such as liver function (plasma cholinesterase activity) 28.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Use Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring: Implement quantitative neuromuscular monitoring to reduce residual neuromuscular blockade 11 (Evidence: Strong).
  • Anesthesiologist-Led Sedation for High-Risk Procedures: Prefer anesthesiologist-led sedation for MRI and other high-risk procedures, especially in pediatric and elderly patients 15 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Utilize Sugammadex for Reversal: Employ sugammadex for rapid and effective reversal of neuromuscular blockade 34 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Select Appropriate Sedative Agents: Choose sedative agents based on patient age and procedure requirements, ensuring safety and efficacy 520 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Continuous Monitoring of Vital Signs: Maintain continuous monitoring of vital signs and neuromuscular function during sedation procedures 111 (Evidence: Strong).
  • References

    1 Amemiya S, Kataoka M, Doi T, Hirai T, Obata T, Kuroda K. Safety of MRI Examinations Under Sedation: A Nationwide Survey in Japan. Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI 2026. link 2 Ebert MT, Szpernal J, Vogt JA, Lien CA, Ebert TJ. Improving quantitative neuromuscular monitoring: an education initiative on stimulating electrode placement. Journal of clinical monitoring and computing 2025. link 3 Liu H, Yang Q, Li Z, Yan S, Ming S. Systematic analysis of sugammadex-related adverse drug reaction signals using FAERS database. International journal of surgery (London, England) 2025. link 4 Mao X, Zhang R, Liang X, Liu F, Dai Y, Wang M et al.. A pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse events for sugammadex. Journal of clinical anesthesia 2024. link 5 Sistac Ballarín JM, Solé Guixes J, Groizard Botella MJ, Sistac Palacín JM. Use of a single dose of 70mg/kg chloral hydrate as a hypnotic in nuclear magnetic resonance. A prospective study of 3132 cases. Revista espanola de anestesiologia y reanimacion 2022. link 6 Obara S, Nakata Y, Yamaoka K. Cost-effectiveness analysis of sedation and general anesthesia regimens for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging in Japan. Journal of anesthesia 2022. link 7 Chen B. Sugammadex: A Limited But Important Role in Emergency Medicine. Pediatric emergency care 2020. link 8 Tiankanon K, Mekaroonkamol P, Pittayanon R, Kongkam P, Gonlachanvit S, Rerknimitr R. Nurse Administered Propofol Sedation (NAPS) versus On-call Anesthesiologist Administered Propofol Sedation (OAPS) in Elective Colonoscopy. Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD 2020. link 9 Martin-Flores M, Sakai DM, Tseng CT, Gleed RD, Campoy L. Can we see fade? A survey of anesthesia providers and our ability to detect partial neuromuscular block in dogs. Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia 2019. link 10 Boriosi JP, Eickhoff JC, Hollman GA. Safety and Efficacy of Buccal Dexmedetomidine for MRI Sedation in School-Aged Children. Hospital pediatrics 2019. link 11 Naguib M, Brull SJ, Kopman AF, Hunter JM, Fülesdi B, Arkes HR et al.. Consensus Statement on Perioperative Use of Neuromuscular Monitoring. Anesthesia and analgesia 2018. link 12 Yeong CC, Craig SS, Cheek JA. Paediatric lumbar punctures: How do paediatric and emergency doctors differ?. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 2017. link 13 Bavaro JB, Mendoza JL, McCarthy RJ, Toledo P, Bauchat JR. Maternal sedation during scheduled versus unscheduled cesarean delivery: implications for skin-to-skin contact. International journal of obstetric anesthesia 2016. link 14 Welliver M, Cheek D, Osterbrink J, McDonough J. Worldwide experience with sugammadex sodium: implications for the United States. AANA journal 2015. link 15 Bhananker SM, Treggiari MM, Sellers BA, Cain KC, Ramaiah R, Thilen SR. Comparison of train-of-four count by anesthesia providers versus TOF-Watch® SX: a prospective cohort study. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie 2015. link 16 Whittaker S, Lethbridge G, Kim C, Keon Cohen Z, Ng I. An ultrasound needle insertion guide in a porcine phantom model. Anaesthesia 2013. link 17 Maruf AA, Hossain MD, Ahmed M, Samsad IA. Procedural sedation in children for magnetic resonance imaging--comparison between ketamine diazepam combination with midazolam fentanyl combination. Mymensingh medical journal : MMJ 2010. link 18 Kehinde EO, Ali Y, Khodakhast F, Jamal WY, Seshah M, Rotimi VO. A study of the bacterial flora before and after antiseptic skin preparation of the perineum in male urology patients. Urologia internationalis 2008. link 19 Minai FN, Siddiqui KM, Qureshi R. Sedation-analgesia in non operative locations: practice trends of anaesthetists. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2008. link 20 Cengiz M, Baysal Z, Ganidagli S. Oral sedation with midazolam and diphenhydramine compared with midazolam alone in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. Paediatric anaesthesia 2006. link 21 Rodiera J, Serradell A, Alvarez-Gómez JA, Aliaga L. The cuff method: a pilot study of a new method of monitoring neuromuscular function. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2005. link 22 Yanay O, Brogan TV, Martin LD. Continuous pentobarbital infusion in children is associated with high rates of complications. Journal of critical care 2004. link 23 Kawamata T, Omote K, Matsumoto M, Toriyabe M, Ito T, Namiki A. Pneumocephalus following an epidural blood patch. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2003. link 24 Adamson TE, Bunch WH, Baldwin DC, Oppenberg A. The virtuous orthopaedist has fewer malpractice suits. Clinical orthopaedics and related research 2000. link 25 D'Agostino J, Terndrup TE. Chloral hydrate versus midazolam for sedation of children for neuroimaging: a randomized clinical trial. Pediatric emergency care 2000. link 26 Saitoh Y, Narumi Y, Fujii Y, Ueki M. Tactile evaluation of fade of the train-of-four and double-burst stimulation using the anaesthetist's non-dominant hand. British journal of anaesthesia 1999. link 27 Ohrn MA, van Oostrom JH, van Meurs WL. A comparison of traditional textbook and interactive computer learning of neuromuscular block. Anesthesia and analgesia 1997. link 28 Pedersen NA, Jensen FS. Clinical importance of plasma cholinesterase for the anaesthetist. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 1994. link 29 Lyew MA, Pinto SR, Bevan JC. A simple device for monitoring neuromuscular blockade in children. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie 1989. link 30 Weinstein L. Malpractice--the syndrome of the 80s. Obstetrics and gynecology 1988. link 31 Jensen E, Viby-Mogensen J, Bang U. The Accelograph: a new neuromuscular transmission monitor. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 1988. link 32 May O, Kirkegaard Nielsen H, Werner MU. The acceleration transducer--an assessment of its precision in comparison with a force displacement transducer. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 1988. link 33 Gold AR. Malpractice reform. Journal of the American Optometric Association 1987. link 34 Sim AJ, McCartney AC. The appearance of endotoxin following urethral instrumentation. The British journal of surgery 1980. link 35 Demorest BH. Comparison of state legislation regarding professional liability. Ophthalmology 1979. link35401-x)

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Safety of MRI Examinations Under Sedation: A Nationwide Survey in Japan.Amemiya S, Kataoka M, Doi T, Hirai T, Obata T, Kuroda K Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI (2026)
    2. [2]
      Improving quantitative neuromuscular monitoring: an education initiative on stimulating electrode placement.Ebert MT, Szpernal J, Vogt JA, Lien CA, Ebert TJ Journal of clinical monitoring and computing (2025)
    3. [3]
      Systematic analysis of sugammadex-related adverse drug reaction signals using FAERS database.Liu H, Yang Q, Li Z, Yan S, Ming S International journal of surgery (London, England) (2025)
    4. [4]
      A pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse events for sugammadex.Mao X, Zhang R, Liang X, Liu F, Dai Y, Wang M et al. Journal of clinical anesthesia (2024)
    5. [5]
      Use of a single dose of 70mg/kg chloral hydrate as a hypnotic in nuclear magnetic resonance. A prospective study of 3132 cases.Sistac Ballarín JM, Solé Guixes J, Groizard Botella MJ, Sistac Palacín JM Revista espanola de anestesiologia y reanimacion (2022)
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
      Sugammadex: A Limited But Important Role in Emergency Medicine.Chen B Pediatric emergency care (2020)
    8. [8]
      Nurse Administered Propofol Sedation (NAPS) versus On-call Anesthesiologist Administered Propofol Sedation (OAPS) in Elective Colonoscopy.Tiankanon K, Mekaroonkamol P, Pittayanon R, Kongkam P, Gonlachanvit S, Rerknimitr R Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD (2020)
    9. [9]
      Can we see fade? A survey of anesthesia providers and our ability to detect partial neuromuscular block in dogs.Martin-Flores M, Sakai DM, Tseng CT, Gleed RD, Campoy L Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia (2019)
    10. [10]
      Safety and Efficacy of Buccal Dexmedetomidine for MRI Sedation in School-Aged Children.Boriosi JP, Eickhoff JC, Hollman GA Hospital pediatrics (2019)
    11. [11]
      Consensus Statement on Perioperative Use of Neuromuscular Monitoring.Naguib M, Brull SJ, Kopman AF, Hunter JM, Fülesdi B, Arkes HR et al. Anesthesia and analgesia (2018)
    12. [12]
      Paediatric lumbar punctures: How do paediatric and emergency doctors differ?Yeong CC, Craig SS, Cheek JA Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA (2017)
    13. [13]
      Maternal sedation during scheduled versus unscheduled cesarean delivery: implications for skin-to-skin contact.Bavaro JB, Mendoza JL, McCarthy RJ, Toledo P, Bauchat JR International journal of obstetric anesthesia (2016)
    14. [14]
      Worldwide experience with sugammadex sodium: implications for the United States.Welliver M, Cheek D, Osterbrink J, McDonough J AANA journal (2015)
    15. [15]
      Comparison of train-of-four count by anesthesia providers versus TOF-Watch® SX: a prospective cohort study.Bhananker SM, Treggiari MM, Sellers BA, Cain KC, Ramaiah R, Thilen SR Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie (2015)
    16. [16]
      An ultrasound needle insertion guide in a porcine phantom model.Whittaker S, Lethbridge G, Kim C, Keon Cohen Z, Ng I Anaesthesia (2013)
    17. [17]
    18. [18]
      A study of the bacterial flora before and after antiseptic skin preparation of the perineum in male urology patients.Kehinde EO, Ali Y, Khodakhast F, Jamal WY, Seshah M, Rotimi VO Urologia internationalis (2008)
    19. [19]
      Sedation-analgesia in non operative locations: practice trends of anaesthetists.Minai FN, Siddiqui KM, Qureshi R JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (2008)
    20. [20]
    21. [21]
      The cuff method: a pilot study of a new method of monitoring neuromuscular function.Rodiera J, Serradell A, Alvarez-Gómez JA, Aliaga L Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (2005)
    22. [22]
      Continuous pentobarbital infusion in children is associated with high rates of complications.Yanay O, Brogan TV, Martin LD Journal of critical care (2004)
    23. [23]
      Pneumocephalus following an epidural blood patch.Kawamata T, Omote K, Matsumoto M, Toriyabe M, Ito T, Namiki A Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (2003)
    24. [24]
      The virtuous orthopaedist has fewer malpractice suits.Adamson TE, Bunch WH, Baldwin DC, Oppenberg A Clinical orthopaedics and related research (2000)
    25. [25]
    26. [26]
    27. [27]
      A comparison of traditional textbook and interactive computer learning of neuromuscular block.Ohrn MA, van Oostrom JH, van Meurs WL Anesthesia and analgesia (1997)
    28. [28]
      Clinical importance of plasma cholinesterase for the anaesthetist.Pedersen NA, Jensen FS Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (1994)
    29. [29]
      A simple device for monitoring neuromuscular blockade in children.Lyew MA, Pinto SR, Bevan JC Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie (1989)
    30. [30]
      Malpractice--the syndrome of the 80s.Weinstein L Obstetrics and gynecology (1988)
    31. [31]
      The Accelograph: a new neuromuscular transmission monitor.Jensen E, Viby-Mogensen J, Bang U Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (1988)
    32. [32]
      The acceleration transducer--an assessment of its precision in comparison with a force displacement transducer.May O, Kirkegaard Nielsen H, Werner MU Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (1988)
    33. [33]
      Malpractice reform.Gold AR Journal of the American Optometric Association (1987)
    34. [34]
      The appearance of endotoxin following urethral instrumentation.Sim AJ, McCartney AC The British journal of surgery (1980)
    35. [35]

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