Which block is most commonly associated with a hematoma risk due to proximity to vascular structures near the maxillary tuberosity?

• A. Posterior superior alveolar injection
• B. Inferior alveolar nerve block
• C. Infraorbital injection
• D. Mental nerve block

Answer: (A)

Hematoma risk in this area comes from injecting near a rich network of veins and arteries that can be easily injured. The posterior superior alveolar block is performed at the maxillary tuberosity, where the nerve lies close to the pterygoid venous plexus and surrounding vascular branches of the maxillary artery. If a needle punctures these vessels, a hematoma can form in the maxillary region because the area is highly vascular and the vessels are large and near the injection path.

The other blocks are less associated with this specific risk because they are located away from the dense vascular structures near the tuberosity. The inferior alveolar nerve block is in the mandibular space, not the maxillary tuberosity; the infraorbital and mental nerve blocks involve different vessel relationships and regions. In practice, aspirating before deposition and using careful technique helps minimize hematoma chances for any block.