Ultrasound-guided Phrenic Nerve Block for Intractable Hiccups in Patients with Metastatic Colon Cancer: A Case Report

Tiffani D Pittman*, Andra DiSt

Abstract

Intractable hiccups can be a debilitating condition in cancer patients especially for those who have recently undergone thoracic or abdominal surgery and have tumor loads causing diaphragmatic irritation. The following case report details complete resolution of severe intractable hiccups due to an ultrasound guided phrenic nerve block in a patient with unresectable metastatic colon cancer. Ultrasound guided phrenic nerve block modification of the commonly performed interscalene brachial plexus may prove beneficial in relieving hiccups when medication therapy has failed or causes untoward side effects.

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