Cervical epidural injection complicated by syrinx formation: a case report
1Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Spine
|May 13, 2010
Summary
A rare complication of syrinx formation occurred after a cervical epidural injection (CEI). This case highlights a novel neurological injury following this common procedure for neck pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Medical Procedures
Background:
- Interlaminar cervical epidural injections (CEIs) are frequently used to manage chronic radicular neck pain.
- While generally considered safe, various complications associated with CEIs have been documented in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old female patient developed acute neurological deficits, including right-sided hemiparesis and sensory loss below the neck, along with urinary retention, shortly after a CEI.
- The procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guidance at the C7-T1 level with appropriate contrast spread in the epidural space.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a syrinx extending from the C1 to T4 spinal levels.
- No evidence of epidural hematoma or abscess was detected on the MRI scans.
Implications:
- This case report describes a novel complication of syrinx formation and myelomalacia in the cervical region following a CEI.
- The findings suggest that even with fluoroscopic guidance, rare but severe neurological complications like syrinx formation can occur after cervical epidural injections.
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