title: Subdural spinal haematoma after epidural anaesthesia in a patient with spinal canal stenosis.
abstract: A 60-year-old male with a past history of T12 fracture had epidural analgesia for a radical prostatectomy. It was unknown prior to epidural insertion that the patient had a canal stenosis at T12 from the previous injury. The patient developed severe bilateral buttock pain after epidural catheter removal. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a spinal subdural haematoma from T10 to L2 with mild cord compression. The patient made a successful recovery with conservative management. Neuraxial blockade should be approached with caution in patients with previous back injury, and only after a thorough assessment has been obtained to exclude spinal canal stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: M Y L
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D046649:Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology