Korean J Pain.  2018 Jan;31(1):50-53. 10.3344/kjp.2018.31.1.50.

Transient paraplegia after neurolytic splanchnic block in a patient with metastatic colon carcinoma

• Oguz G
• Senel G
• Kocak N

• KMID: 2400908
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2018.31.1.50

Abstract

We present a patient with metastatic colon carcinoma who developed paraplegia following a neurolytic splanchnic block. A 41-year old man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon received a splanchnic neurolytic block using alcohol because of severe abdominal pain. Bilateral motor weakness and a sensorial deficit in both legs developed after the procedure. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord ischemia between T8 and L1. The motor and sensorial deficits were almost completely resolved at the end of the third month. We think that anterior spinal artery syndrome due to reversible spasms of the lumbar radicular arteries using alcohol have resulted in transient paraplegia. The retrograde spread of alcohol to neural structures may have also contributed.

Keyword

Alcohol; Cancer; Complication; Pain; Paraplegia; Splanchnic block

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adenocarcinoma
Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome
Arteries
Colon*
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Humans
Leg
Paraplegia*
Spasm
Spinal Cord Ischemia

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 CT image of the patient at T12 vertebra level.

• 

  Fig. 2 Spinal cord ischemia between T8 and L1 (Diffusion MRI).

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