title: Paraplegia associated with epidural anesthesia.
abstract: Spinal anesthesia has lost its popularity among physicians due to rare occurrences of paraplegia that have precipitated lawsuits, with staggering judgments in favor of claimants. Epidural block has now become a popular alternative because some believe it cannot cause paraplegia; however, paraplegia is as prevalent after induction of epidural anesthesia as after spinal anesthesia. Arachnoiditis has been incriminated as the causative agent when paraplegia has followed spinal anesthesia. Arachnoiditis is also a causative factor when paraplegia follows epidural block. Cord compression and anterior spinal artery syndrome have also been associated with paraplegia after epidural block though they have not been a problem with spinal block.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology