Neurological deficit following spinal anaesthesia: MRI and CT evidence of spinal cord gas embolism.
A 62-year-old diabetic woman developed permanent neurological deficits in the legs following spinal anaesthesia. MRI showed oedema in the spinal cord and a small intramedullary focus of signal void at the T10 level, with negative density at CT. Intramedullary gas bubbles have not been reported previously among the possible neurological complications of spinal anaesthesia; a combined ischaemic/embolic mechanism is hypothesised.
Tedeschi
E
E
Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, CNR Center for Nuclear Medicine, University Frederico II, Naples, Italy.
Marano
I
I
Savarese
F
F
Olibet
G
G
Di Salvo
E
E
Brunetti
A
A
Sodano
A
A
D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004576:Electromyography; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed