Transient blindness after lumbar epidural steroid injection: a case report and literature review
1Department of Neurosurgery, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Wfymd@aol.com
Study Design:
A case report of transient blindness after lumbar epidural steroids is presented.
Objective:
To report the diagnosis and treatment of a case of blindness after administration of lumbar epidural steroids.
Summary Of Background Data:
Nine previous cases of blindness after lumbar epidural injection for back pain were identified. Retinal hemorrhages were identified on ophthalmologic examination in all cases.
Methods:
The 1-year follow up evaluation of a 39-year-old male who sustained transient blindness after administration of lumbar epidural steroids is reported.
Results:
At 1 year, the patient had significant return of vision, but it did not improve back to baseline.
Conclusions:
Transient blindness is a rare complication of lumbar epidural injection. The pathophysiology and prevention of this rare entity is reviewed.
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