• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.150-154
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• 1998

Epidural steroid injection have become one of the most frequently applied conservative option for the management of acute and chronic back pain. As the indications for epidural steroid injections increase so do the adverse responses associated with this procedure. This study reports the succession of 3 patients who developed galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia after recieving an epidural steroid injection for lumbar radiculopathy and low back pain. Serum prolactin level was elevated in accordance with epidural injection of corticosteroid. We measured the serum prolactin level by immunoradiometric assay method and peak serum prolactin level at above 500, 144.2, 150.3 ng/ml respectively. Also we found the serum prolactin level decreased to normal values 3 wks after corticosteroid injection. Galactorrhra ceased in advance of decrease of serum prolactin level. That "Hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea can occur following epidural steroid injection", requires a much larger prospective investigation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.155-159
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• 1998

Epidural neurolysis with phenol has appeared in literature since 1960. Complications due to accidental subdural block is a rare and unexpected sensory and/or motor disturbance, but it does occur. A 74 years old woman had postherpectic neuralgia for 3 weeks and VAS score of 10. She was treated with intercostal nerve block and intravenous infusion of lidocaine for 7 days and VAS score decreased to 6. To proceed further, we decided to perform epidural neurolysis with 4% phenol 1.5 ml. During thoracic epidural catherization, we encountered unexpected subdural catheterization in subdurographic finding, but we could not precisely rule out subdural catheterization. We had to check CT for exact location of catheter tip. We then performed subdural neurolysis with phenol. This procedure reduced VAS score to between 3 and 4, and we removed the catheter. She had no complication.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.332-334
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• 1998

A 25-year-old epileptic female patient scheduled for vaginal delivery, was referred to the pain clinic for the relief of labor pain. She had been taking anticonvulsant drugs, but suffered from seizure attacks three or four times a month. We had induced continuous lumbar epidural analgesia successfully and she subsequently gave birth to a healthy infant. So we report that continuous lumbar epidural analgesia should be considered as a safe method for reduction of labor pain and prevention of seizure attacks in epileptic pregnant women.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.245-248
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• 2001

Lysis of epidural adhesion has been done in patients with refractory lumbar radiculopathies. Cauda equina syndrome is a rare complication of epidural block. We report on a case of cauda equina syndrome following epidural adhesiolysis in a patient with spinal stenosis. The patient complained of numbness of the perineum, weakness of the left leg, an inability to void and fecal incontinence. She was treated with medication, bladder training and physical therapy, and finally recovered 1 month after the procedure without any sequelae. We suggest that the causative factors are osmotic damage produced by the subarachnoid injection of large doses of hypertonic saline and temporary neural compression due to spinal stenosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.253-256
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• 2001

One of the most serious complications of regional anesthesia is a neurological deficit. Although such a problem is very rare, obstetric patients may develop paresthesia and motor dysfuntion during the postoperative period in association with number of other factors, including direct nerve trauma, equipment problems, adhesive arachnoiditis, anterior spinal artery syndrome, epidural hematoma or abscess and adverse drug effect. We experienced a case of unilateral paraparesis following epidural anesthesia with 20 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine and $25{\mu}g$ of fentanyl in an obstetric patient.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.207-210
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• 2001

Backgroud: Caudal blocks have been used for pain management in outpatient clinics. It is important to estimate the proper depth and angle in order to increase the success rate of the procedure. Methods: Data was collected from 60 patients who visited our pain clinic. We measured the depth of the needle's penetration and the angle of the needle at the insertion point when a caudal approach was confirmed by air flow method. We recorded age, sex, body weight and height, and calculated the ponderal index. Results: The depth from the skin to the caudal epidural space was a mean 2-4 cm ($3{\pm}0.4\;cm$). The angle at the needle insertion point was a mean 15-50 degree ($34.9{\pm}6.8$ degree). Conclusions: If we use the mean depth and angle as a guide, complications during the caudal epidural procedure can be avoided.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.276-279
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• 2001

Epidural steroid injection is one method of releiving chronic back pain. However, problems with the loss of resistance to air technique include the possible subarachnoid or subdural injection of air resulting in headache, venous air embolism, and the introduction of air bubbles into the epidural space. Pneumocephalus is a rare complication of epidural block for epidural steroid injection. We report a case of a 58-year-old woman who developed a severe headache and posterior nuchal pain with incomplete oculomotor palsy due to pneumocephalus occuring after an epidural steroid injection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.311-313
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• 1998

Continuous epidural catheter insertion is common practice in postoperative analgesia. Subarachnoid migration of epidural catheter is a rare complication. Presumed delayed subarachnoid migration of an epidural catheter occured in a 58-year-old female patient after subtotal gastrectomy. Delayed respiratory depression occured 7 hrs after transfer to admission room. She was intubated and had ventilatory care. The fluid from the epidural catheter was examined and the result showed that gucose was 107 mg% and protein was 31 mg%. Immediate naloxone administration and ventilatory care for one day was done. The patient discharged without any sequalae.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.160-164
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• 1998

We report a case of epidural hematoma occuring after bloody tap during epi-dural catheter for cancer pain control in thrombocytopenic patient. Two hours after epidurl puncture, patient experienced severe back pain and numbness of both legs. Following day, patient complained of motor paralysis and urinary difficulty. Diagnosis utilizing magnetic reasonance imaging, showed epidural hematoma extending from $T_{11}$ to $T_{12}$. Thrombocytopenia prevented surgical intervention. Therefore we restored conservative therapy with packed red cell, platelet concentration, steroid and hemostatic, which provided complete neurologic recovery, spontaneously over several days without surgical intervention.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.146-149
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• 1998

Herpes zoster is a viral disease characterized by skin rash and persistent pain. Early treatment with epidural analgesia provides very effective pain relief and reduces the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. However, epidural analgesia in elderly, deliberated or hypovolemic patients may complicate circulatory depression such as hypotension and bradycardia. Even if temporary, a major decrease in blood pressure may decrease coronary blood flow of patients with arteriosclerosis and ischemic accident may occur. We experienced a case of unstable angina pectoris after lumbar epidural blockade in a herpes zoster patient with chronic stable angina pectoris.