title: Transverse myelitis following general and epidural anaesthesia in a paediatric patient.
abstract: A 13-year-old girl developed transverse myelitis 2 weeks after an uncomplicated, combined general and epidural anaesthetic for orthopaedic surgery. Since epidural anaesthesia had been used, a causal relationship might have been assumed. We review the aetiology and pathogenesis of acute transverse myelitis and the role of anaesthesia in this disorder. Although a causal relationship cannot be assumed and regional anaesthesia in children is considered safe, we would like to re-emphasise the management principles and practices that may improve the benefit-to-risk ratio of these techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Children University Hospital, Nino Jesus, Madrid, Spain. ernesmg2002@yahoo.es
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez-Garcia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pelaez
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez-Gallardo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*