title: Asymptomatic spinal cord neoplasm detected during induction of spinal anesthesia.
abstract: We report a case of an asymptomatic spinal cord neoplasm detected during the placement of a 25-gauge Whitacre spinal needle for spinal anesthesia before elective cesarean delivery. Subarachnoid blood was repeatedly aspirated during otherwise uncomplicated induction of spinal anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a spinal cord ependymoma in the lumbar spine. Asymptomatic spinal cord neoplasms and ependymomas are reviewed. Central nervous system pathology should be considered in the presence of persistent subarachnoid blood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Polley
mesh_terms: D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult