Adverse reactions to intrathecal saline injection for control of pain

The authors report the results of a questionnaire regarding the use of hypertonic saline for the control of pain. Of 2105 patients so treated, nearly 11% had an adverse temporary symptom or sign, reported as an untoward reaction; slightly over 1% suffered a significant morbidity, of which paraplegia or quadriplegia was by far the most common, and two patients died (0.1%).