Serious spinal cord injury due to haematomyelia caused by spinal anaesthesia in a patient treated with low-dose heparin.
Failed spinal anaesthesia for left total hip arthroplasty was followed postoperatively by dense motor paralysis and sensory deficit in the right leg. The patient had received a dose of subcutaneous heparin 1 h before the spinal anaesthetic was attempted. She died of pulmonary embolism on the ninth postoperative day. At autopsy extensive haematomyelia was found in relation to the needle track.
Greaves
J D
JD
Newcastle School of Anaesthesia, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
D000368:Aged; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin