1/16. Neurological deficit following spinal anaesthesia: MRI and CT evidence of spinal cord gas embolism.A 62-year-old diabetic woman developed permanent neurological deficits in the legs following spinal anaesthesia. MRI showed oedema in the spinal cord and a small intramedullary focus of signal void at the T10 level, with negative density at CT. Intramedullary gas bubbles have not been reported previously among the possible neurological complications of spinal anaesthesia; a combined ischaemic/embolic mechanism is hypothesised.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/16. Myeloneuropathy following nitrous oxide anesthaesia in a patient with macrocytic anaemia.The neurological condition triggered by anaesthesia with nitrous oxide involves the cyanocobalamine pathway and is characterised by progressive demyelination and axonal lesions of the peripheral nerves and cervicothoracic spinal cord (posterior and anterolateral columns) giving a peripheral neuropathy and very frequently subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. It is possible to show these demyelinating lesions by MRI of the spine, allowing early diagnosis and follow-up. We describe a case of myeloneuropathy with onset a few hours after nitrous oxide anaesthesia in a patient with macrocytic anaemia and possible subclinical vitamin B(12) deficiency and MRI evidence of a lesion of the cervical spinal cord. Neurological and haematological improvement followed cyanocobalamine replacement.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/16. Prevention of hypertensive crises in patients with high spinal lesions during cystoscopy and lithotripsy.Three patients with high spinal lesions, admitted to the hospital for cystoscopy and lithotripsy, showed signs of severe hypertension due to mass reflex during this operation. This symptom was controlled with an intravenous drip of Arfonade inverted question mark, and the patients felt quite comfortable without any other anaesthesia. Other possibilities for handling such patients are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/16. Intraspinal haematoma following lumbar epidural anaesthesia in a neonate.A neonate with chromosomal 9 abnormality and omphalocele received a lumbar epidural catheter after laparotomy. Several attempts were needed to establish this catheter. Bleeding occurred from the operative wound after surgery. Using an epidural infusion with ropivacaine 0.1% for 48 h postoperative pain relief was sufficient. Four days after epidural catheter removal, dysfunction of the sacral parasympathetic nerves was noted. Motor and sensor function of the lower limbs were unaffected. magnetic resonance imaging showed a localized intraspinal haematoma in the lower lumbar region.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.66666666666667keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/16. MR findings in subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord caused by nitrous oxide anaesthesia--two cases.Vitamin B12 deficiency causes haematological and neurological diseases. Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord is characterized by degeneration of the posterior and lateral columns. We report two cases of SCD induced by nitrous oxide (N2O) anaesthesia. In both cases magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord showed symmetric, reversible changes in the posterior columns, correlating well with patients' symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.83333333333333keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/16. Myelopathy with syringomyelia following thoracic epidural anaesthesia.Under general anaesthesia and muscle relaxation, a thoracic epidural catheter was inserted at the T8-T9 level in a 7-year-old boy scheduled to have a Nissen fundoplication to provide postoperative analgesia. After 4 ml of lignocaine 1.5% was injected through the catheter, hypotension resulted. Fifty-five minutes later 5 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% produced the same effect. In the recovery room a similar injection resulted in lower blood pressure and temporary apnoea. Sensory and motor deficits were noted the next day and four days later magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spinal cord syringomyelia extending from T5 to T10. Four years later, dysaesthesia from T6 to T10 weakness of the left lower extremity and bladder and bowel dysfunction persist. The risks of inserting thoracic epidural catheters in patients under general anaesthesia and muscle relaxation are discussed, emphasising the possibility of spinal cord injury with disastrous consequences.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/16. Results of the section of the filum terminale in 20 patients with syringomyelia, scoliosis and Chiari malformation.BACKGROUND: spinal cord traction caused by a tight filum terminale may be considered a pathogenic mechanism involved in the development of syringomyelia, the Chiari malformation (type I) and scoliosis. Section of the filum terminale is proposed as a useful surgical approach in these conditions. methods: Between April 1993 and July 2003, a total of 20 patients (8 men and 12 women) with a mean age of 33.5 years underwent section of the filum terminale with or without opening of the dural sac through a standard sacrectomy. Eight patients suffered from scoliosis, 5 from syringomyelia, 2 from Chiari malformation and 5 with a combination of these conditions. FINDING: After section of the filum terminale, patients with syringomyelia showed an early clinical improvement of dysaesthesia, thermo-anaesthesia, hypo-aesthesia and walking difficulties. Rising of the medullary conus was also observed. In patients with scoliosis, back pain improved dramatically and a curve reduction was noticed, although progression of the curve was observed in one case. In patients with Chiari malformation, headache, dysaesthesia and paraparesis disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Section of the filum terminale is a useful strategy in the treatment of scoliosis, syringomyelia and the Chiari malformation, and offers a new aetiological basis for the understanding of these three disorders.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/16. Severe progressive late onset myelopathy and arachnoiditis following neonatal meningitis.This case series describes four children who had meningitis in the neonatal period. After a stable period of years, they developed a myelopathy caused by chronic arachnoiditis. The myelopathy was precipitated by a fall in two cases, and in two cases there was an acute deterioration after surgery. A history of neonatal meningitis should be taken into consideration before planning surgery or anaesthesia. Careful intra-operative positioning, immobilisation of the neck, and maintenance of blood pressure is important but may not prevent this complication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/16. Spinal myoclonus following combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia for Caesarean section.A nulliparous woman presented with pre-eclampsia at 39 weeks' gestation. A combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia was employed for Caesarean section but the spinal component produced no discernible block, so the epidural was topped up with 20 ml ropivacaine 0.75% without problem and surgery was uneventful. A week after delivery she developed twitching of her legs and opisthotonus, that was initially thought to be eclampsia but was subsequently diagnosed as spinal myoclonus. She was treated with oral carbamazepine and diazepam, with improvement over the next 4 days, and discharged home a week later taking oral carbidopa and levodopa. Her symptoms resolved completely 6 months after the initial event.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.83333333333333keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/16. Iatrogenic spinal subdural haematoma.Spinal subdural haematoma is a rare condition, usually seen in association with lumbar puncture or a bleeding disorder. It carries a high morbidity and mortality, and successful treatment requires prompt surgical intervention. We present a case of mixed spinal subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhage complicating failed spinal anaesthesia combined with anti-coagulation in an elderly woman, together with a review of the literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.16666666666667keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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