Autonomic dysreflexia manifested by severe hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a sudden and exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli in patients with spinal cord injuries or dysfunction above the splanchnic sympathetic outflow (T5-T6). Hypertension is a relatively common manifestation of AD.


METHODS
We describe a case of a young man with T4-T6 spinal cord tumor who developed severe hypertension before any other clinical feature of AD, leading to a subsequent clinical evaluation and the correct diagnosis. Treatment with labetalol was only partially successful in controlling the elevated blood pressure. Hypertension resolved immediately after bladder decompression.


CONCLUSIONS
AD manifested by severe hypertension is uncommon. Bladder decompression appears to be safe and effective for management of hypertension in patients with AD.
Assadi
Farahnak
F
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nephrology, Rush University Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Fassadi@rush.edu
Czech
Kimberly
K
Palmisano
Julie L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020211:Autonomic Dysreflexia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007741:Labetalol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007741:Labetalol