Drainage of an acute spinal epidural hematoma that developed without risk factors in the thoracic spine using epidural needle: A case report

Epidural hematoma after epidural block is a rare complication in healthy patients without risk factor. However, this rare disease can lead to neurological symptoms or paralysis. It is usually treated with surgical drainage. Herein we report a case of acute thoracic epidural hematoma associated with neurologic symptoms after epidural block in a healthy male without risk factors. We performed drainage of the epidural hematoma using 18-gauge Tuohy needle without surgical intervention. The patient's neurological symptoms and pain were relieved. He was discharged without sequelae.

Foraminal stenosis complicating retained broken epidural needle tip: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Lumbar epidural anesthesia is useful in a variety of chronic benign pain syndromes, including lumbar radiculopathy, low back pain syndrome, spinal stenosis, and vertebral compression fractures. Given the increased number of epidural nerve blocks being performed, some have reported unexplained complications of a transient or permanent nature and with varying degrees of severity. However, no case has been reported of a broken epidural needle tip retained in the lumbar facet joint area. This represents the first reported case presentation of foraminal stenosis developing in a patient after a retained epidural needle tip.