Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy following epidural analgesia for labor.
Epidural analgesia is a widely used method of pain control in the labor and delivery setting but is not without risks. We present a case of Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy as a rare complication of epidural analgesia in an obstetric patient. Although reported in few instances in the anesthesia literature, awareness among providers in obstetrics is critical because this could be the first sign of a high sympathetic blockade resulting in potential maternal-fetal morbidity.
Lynch
James H
JH
Department of Family Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, USA. james.h.lynch@us.army.mil
Keneally
Ryan J
RJ
Hustead
Thomas R
TR
D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*