Epidural analgesia associated with a fatal outcome in a patient with an unrecognized brain tumour

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2004 Dec;32(6):832-4. doi: 10.1177/0310057X0403200619.

Abstract

A fatality associated with epidural analgesia in a patient with an unsuspected brain tumour has not been reported in the literature. We describe a case of postoperative lumbar epidural analgesia in a 54-year-old female patient who had an undiagnosed brain tumour and a fatal outcome postoperatively. The factors that potentially contributed to this mishap and the possible alternative management of this patient are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Analgesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Analgesia, Epidural / methods
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy / adverse effects
  • Hysterectomy / methods*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis
  • Leiomyoma / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Postoperative / diagnosis
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Analgesics