Anesth Analg 2006;102:1863-1864
© 2006 International Anesthesia Research Society
doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000216037.69269.60
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
Cauda Equina Syndrome and Profound Hearing Loss After Spinal Anesthesia with Isobaric Bupivacaine
Traore Moussa, MD,
Diallo Abdoulaye, MD,
Coulibaly Youssouf,
Guinto Cheick Oumar,
Timbo Samba Karim, and
Thomas Jeannette Traore
Department of Neurology, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Ophthalmology, Point G Hospital, Medical School, Bamako, Mali
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Moussa Traore, Sr, MD, Medical school, Point G Hospital, Bamako, Mali 1805. Address e-mail to mtraore{at}mrtcbko.org.
A 33-yr-old man undergoing anorectal surgery developed cauda equina syndrome and bilateral profound hearing loss after single-injection spinal anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine. There was no pain on needle placement. Neurologic assessment found impaired sensation to pinprick in the perineal region, lower extremity paralysis, and bowel and bladder incontinence. In addition, he developed a bilateral profound hearing loss involving the low frequencies, with the left side more affected than the right side. Although hearing impairment can occur with cerebrospinal fluid leakage, the etiology of cauda equina syndrome is uncertain. The simultaneous occurrence of these events has not been previously reported.
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