Korean J Anesthesiol.  1988 Apr;21(2):389-392. 10.4097/kjae.1988.21.2.389.

Paraplegia following Epidural Analgesia

• Won MS
• Kim C
• Um DJ
• Woo NS
• Choi R

• KMID: 1933186
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1988.21.2.389

Abstract

This article reports the case of a woman who developed a pure motor paraplegia following epidural analgesia. 80mg of Depomedrol and 2ml of 1% lidocaine were injected epidurally for relief of back pain. Within one day the patient complained of severe pain in both lower extremities and the left lower extremity rapidly became paraplegic. Myelography showed no obstruction and compression. The paraplegia was permanent in the left lower extermity. We note a number of potential etiologies and analyze their possible mechanism of action.

Keyword

Anesthetic Techniques; epidural; Complications; paraplegia

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Epidural*
Back Pain
Female
Humans
Lidocaine
Lower Extremity
Myelography
Paraplegia*
Lidocaine