Trigeminal nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome following epidural analgesia for labor: a subdural block?

Int J Obstet Anesth. 2007 Apr;16(2):180-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2006.07.007. Epub 2007 Jan 30.

Abstract

Horner's syndrome is a rare complication of epidural analgesia for labor. Much more uncommon is trigeminal nerve palsy. Both complications may be attributed to a subdural localization of the catheter, as we demonstrated clinically by a repeat injection and patchy sympathetic block and with the typical image on epidurography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Analgesia, Epidural / methods
  • Analgesia, Obstetrical / adverse effects*
  • Analgesia, Obstetrical / methods
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / administration & dosage
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
  • Anesthetics, Local / adverse effects
  • Bupivacaine / administration & dosage
  • Bupivacaine / adverse effects
  • Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fentanyl / administration & dosage
  • Fentanyl / adverse effects
  • Horner Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Iohexol
  • Labor Pain / drug therapy*
  • Lidocaine / administration & dosage
  • Lidocaine / adverse effects
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Spinal Canal / diagnostic imaging
  • Subdural Space / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Contrast Media
  • Iohexol
  • Lidocaine
  • Fentanyl
  • Bupivacaine