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Anterior spinal cord syndrome from a spinal epidural hematoma following removal of an epidural catheter

Syndrome médullaire antérieur dû à un hématome péridural rachidien suite au retrait d’un cathéter péridural

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Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare yet significant complication associated with neuraxial anesthesia. Here, we present the case of a 74-yr-old male who underwent open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Following the removal of an epidural catheter, the patient developed anterior spinal cord syndrome due to an SEH despite having a normal coagulation profile.

Clinical features

This patient’s neurologic presentation was marked by a loss of motor function while maintaining fine touch sensation distal to the spinal cord injury. Initial truncal computed tomography (CT) angiography failed to detect vascular compromise or diagnose the SEH. Subsequently, delayed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multilevel thoracic epidural hematoma, spinal cord infarction, and ischemia. Immediate surgical decompression was performed, but unfortunately, the patient had a poor outcome.

Conclusion

Anterior spinal cord syndrome (ASCS) represents an uncommon neurologic manifestation of SEH, which is typically characterized by a triad of back pain and sensory and motor deficits. Although the initial CT scan was necessary to diagnose the postvascular surgery complication, it did not immediately detect the SEH. In cases of ASCS subsequent to thoracic epidural placement and removal, MRI is the preferred imaging modality for precise diagnosis and assessment of the need for surgical intervention. Despite adherence to anticoagulation guidelines, patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia may face an elevated risk of developing SEH. Health care professionals should remain vigilant in monitoring for neurologic abnormalities following epidural catheter insertion or removal, particularly in the context of vascular surgery.

Résumé

Objectif

L’hématome péridural rachidien est une complication rare mais importante associée à l’anesthésie neuraxiale. Nous présentons ici le cas d’un homme de 74 ans qui a bénéficié d’une réparation ouverte d’un anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale. Après le retrait d’un cathéter péridural, le patient a développé un syndrome médullaire antérieur dû à un hématome péridural rachidien malgré un profil de coagulation normal.

Caractéristiques cliniques

La présentation neurologique de ce patient était marquée par une perte de la fonction motrice tout en conservant une sensation de toucher fine distale à la lésion médullaire. L’angiographie initiale par tomodensitométrie (TDM) n’a pas permis de détecter d’atteinte vasculaire ni de diagnostiquer un hématome péridural rachidien. Par la suite, une imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) retardée a révélé un hématome péridural thoracique à plusieurs niveaux, un infarctus médullaire et une ischémie. Une décompression chirurgicale immédiate a été réalisée, mais malheureusement, l’issue a été mauvaise pour le patient.

Conclusion

Le syndrome médullaire antérieur représente une manifestation neurologique peu fréquente de l’hématome péridural rachidien, qui se caractérise généralement par une triade de maux de dos et de déficits sensoriels et moteurs. Bien que la tomodensitométrie initiale ait été nécessaire pour diagnostiquer la complication chirurgicale post-vasculaire, elle n’a pas immédiatement détecté l’hématome péridural rachidien. Dans les cas de syndromes médullaires antérieurs consécutifs à la pose et au retrait d’un cathéter péridural thoracique, l’IRM est la modalité d’imagerie privilégiée pour un diagnostic précis et une évaluation de la nécessité d’une intervention chirurgicale. Malgré le respect des directives d’anticoagulation, les patient·es bénéficiant d’une anesthésie neuraxiale peuvent faire face à un risque élevé de développer un hématome péridural rachidien. Les professionnel·les de la santé doivent demeurer vigilant·es dans le monitorage des anomalies neurologiques à la suite de l’insertion ou du retrait d’un cathéter péridural, en particulier dans le contexte d’une chirurgie vasculaire.

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Author contributions

Zechariah Harris contributed to all stages of preparing, writing, editing, and revising the manuscript for submission. Henry Su and Alwin Somasundaram assisted in preparing the manuscript and compiling references. Amanda Xi helped with the preparation of the manuscript. A. Sassan Sabouri was involved in all facets of this case report, including conceptualization, manuscript drafting with contributions from all authors, addressing reviewer comments, editing, and conducting the literature review.

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None.

Funding statement

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Editorial responsibility

This submission was handled by Dr. Stephan K. W. Schwarz, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Zechariah C. Harris MD, Henry K. Su MD, Amanda S. Xi MD & Alwin Somasundaram MD

  2. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    A. Sassan Sabouri MD

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Correspondence to A. Sassan Sabouri MD.

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Harris, Z.C., Su, H.K., Xi, A.S. et al. Anterior spinal cord syndrome from a spinal epidural hematoma following removal of an epidural catheter. Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-024-02768-4

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