RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Unilateral analgesia often occurs with epidural analgesia. Traditional methods of troubleshooting this problem can be insufficient in obtaining adequate pain relief in a timely manner for terminal cancer patients. This case report demonstrates a safe and effective solution which can be utilized in these circumstances. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old female with stage IV pancreatic cancer and life expectancy of a few weeks presented to the interventional pain clinic with intractable sacral pain. The decision to place an epidural catheter and external pump for analgesia was made. An epidural catheter placed at the L5-S1 level showed contrast spread only along the right nerve roots and a test dose produced only right-sided analgesia. Suspecting compartmentalization of the epidural space, a second left-sided epidural catheter was placed and bilateral analgesia was achieved by using both catheters. This dual catheter technique gave the patient effective bilateral analgesia until she passed away several weeks later. CONCLUSION: The bilateral epidural catheter technique is safe and effective in patients who present with persistent unilateral epidural analgesia despite exhausting traditional solutions.
RESUMO
In the field of interventional pain medicine a radiocontrast agent is commonly used in conjunction with fluoroscopy. Limited work has been published regarding the use of gadolium based contrast agents (GBCA) in the intrathecal space. We report a case of an intrathecal gadobutrol injection resulting in neurotoxic manifestations.A 60-year-old female with a history significant for lumbar post-laminectomy syndrome and intrathecal drug delivery implantation was admitted for lumbar fusion and kyphoplasty. Postoperatively, the patient had escalating pain medication requirements. A pump and intrathecal catheter contrast study was completed to assess the integrity and proper placement of the intrathecal catheter. Due to patient.s allergy to iodinated contrast, the physician requested gadolinium contrast dye. Unknown to the staff was that Magnevist had recently been replaced with an alternative GBCA, Gadavist (gadobutrol). 2 cc of Gadavist was injected. The catheter was determined to be intact and in proper position. Less than five minutes after the injection of gadobutrol, the patient reported spastic pain of the lower extremities. There is a lack of evidence as it relates to the use of GBCA specifically gadobutrol in the intrathecal space. The use of gadobutrol in the intrathecal space should be used with caution.
