Paraplegia after transforaminal epidural steroid injection in a patient with severe lumbar disc herniation - A case report

• Published in: Anesthesia and pain medicine (Korean society of anesthesiologists) Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 96 - 102
• Main Authors: Jeon, Seok Ho, Jang, Won, Kim, Sun-Hee, Cho, Yong-Hyun, Lee, Hyun Seok, Ko, Hyun Cheol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Anesthesiologists 01.01.2021; 대한마취통증의학회
• Subjects: cauda equina syndrome; epidural injection; intervertebral disc displacement; paraplegia; Spinal Pain; 마취과학; Paraplegia; Epidural injection; Cauda equina syndrome; Herniated lumbar disc
• ISSN: 1975-5171; 2383-7977
• DOI: 10.17085/apm.20068

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is a conservative treatment for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, there are reports of various complications that can occur after TFESI; among these, paraplegia is a serious complication. A 70-year-old woman who was unable to lie supine due to low back pain exacerbation during back extension underwent TFESI. After injection, there was pain relief and the patient was able to lie supine; however, paraplegia developed immediately. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed cauda equina syndrome (CES) due to nerve compression from L1-2 LDH. We determined that the patient's LDH was already severe enough to be considered CES and that the TFESI procedure performed without an accurate understanding of the patient's condition aggravated the disease. It is important to accurately determine the cause of pain and disease state of a patient to establish a correct treatment plan before TFESI is performed.