Pulsatile subdural contrast image during attempted lumbar transforaminal epidural block: A case report

Moon, Sin Yeong; Cha, Young Deog; Lim, Dae Jin; Yang, Ki Hwan; Lee, Doo Ik

Case Report

Spinal Pain

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2011;6(1):24-27.
Published online January 31, 2011.

Pulsatile subdural contrast image during attempted lumbar transforaminal epidural block: A case report

Sin Yeong Moon, Young Deog Cha, Dae Jin Lim, Ki Hwan Yang, Doo Ik Lee

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea. leedooik@inha.ac.kr

Abstract

Transforaminal lumbar epidural block is a common procedure for the patients with back pain and radiating pain. But during the procedure, complications such as subdural or intrathecal block can occur. Because the procedure is conducted with contrast media and fluoroscopy, anesthesiologists must have deep understanding of the normal radiologic findings of epidural, subdural and intrathecal contrast images. During attempted transforaminal lumbar epidural block with fluoroscopy, we observed an unusual shaped pulsatile contrast image accidentally. Based on our experience, we report the subdural contrast image during transforaminal lumbar epidural block in radiologic aspects.

Key Words: Epidural, Radiography, Subdural, Transforaminal