title: Persistent cortical blindness after a thoracic epidural test dose of bupivacaine.
abstract: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is considered as an essential component of the perioperative care for patients undergoing lung resection. Although neurologic adverse events have been associated with this technique, permanent injury is rare. These events primarily involve the peripheral nervous system; for example, nerve root injury. We present a case of persistent cortical blindness after a test dose of bupivacaine was administered into an uneventfully placed thoracic epidural catheter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands. avisser@amphia.nl
authors.forename: W Anton
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Joy Bach
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kolling
authors.forename: Gerbrand J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tetteroo
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Dijl
authors.forename: Peter M J
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rosseel
authors.forename: Nardo J M
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: van der Meer
mesh_terms: D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine