title: Bacterial infection in deep paraspinal muscles in a parturient following epidural analgesia.
abstract: We report a case of paraspinal muscle infection shortly after epidural analgesia for labor pain in a nulliparous parturient who was subjected to emergent Cesarean section because of fetal distress. Epidural morphine was administered for 3 days for postoperative pain control. She began to have constant lower back pain on postpartum Day 4. Magnetic resonance image study revealed a broad area of subcutaneous edema with a continuum along the catheter trajectory deep to the paraspinal muscles. An injection-related bacterial infection was suspected; the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and was soon cured uncomplicatedly. Epidural analgesia is effective to control labor pain and, in general, it is safe. However, the sequelae of complicated infection may be underestimated. We herein report a case complicated by iatrogenic infection, discuss the causes, and give suggestions for prevention.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Ying-Wei
authors: YW
authors: Yang
authors: Wei-Ting
authors: WT
authors: Chen
authors: Jui-Yuan
authors: JY
authors: Chen
authors: She-Chin
authors: SC
authors: Lee
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Chang
authors: Yeong-Ray
authors: YR
authors: Wen
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000209:etiology*