Bacterial meningitis and cauda equina syndrome after epidural steroid injections.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a rare adverse outcome resulting from lumbar epidural steroid injections for the treatment of chronic lower back pain.


METHODS
We report a case of staphylococcus aureus meningitis and cauda equina syndrome following a series of epidural steroid injections for chronic back pain. Although rare, bacterial meningitis following epidural analgesia has been reported, but epidural steroid injections have not been associated with either bacterial meningitis or cauda equina syndrome. The causal relationship between epidural steroid injections, bacterial meningitis, and cauda equina syndrome is discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
A through pre-procedure assessment with attention to the neurologic examination and signs/symptoms of infection is essential.
Cooper
A B
AB
Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, London, Ontario.
Sharpe
M D
MD
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D002420:Cauda Equina; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones