Paraplegia following epidural anesthesia
A case report and a literature review
Corresponding Author
Jan Sture Skouen
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Jan Sture Skouen, M.D. Skivebakken 3 5000 Bergen NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorStanley F. Wainapel
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarcelle M. Willock
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jan Sture Skouen
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Jan Sture Skouen, M.D. Skivebakken 3 5000 Bergen NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorStanley F. Wainapel
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMarcelle M. Willock
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT – This article reports the case of a man who developed a pure motor paraplegia following epidural anesthesia with a pattern of slow recovery over subsequent months. Reviewing the available literature on post-epidural paraplegia we noted a number of potential etiologies and analyzed their role in its causation. On the basis of this analysis we have identified five distinct clinical groups and a constellation of factors which can lead to an increased risk of post-epidural paraplegia in susceptible surgical patients.
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