Respiratory arrest--a fatal complication of myelography.
Respiratory arrest occurred in a patient undergoing cervical myelography in the Trendelenberg position. Autopsy revealed infiltration of the phrenic nerves by metastatic breast cancer resulting in diaphragmatic paralysis. Though this is a very rare complication of myelography, it is suggested that more attention be paid to the respiratory function of patients with neurological conditions prior to myelography.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality