Temporary quadriplegia following continuous thoracic paravertebral block
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
Emile Calenda1, Jean Marc Baste, Eric Danielou
1Service d'Anesthésie et Réanimation Chirurgicale, Rouen University Hospital, Hôpital Charles-Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031, Rouen Cedex, France. emile.calenda@chu-rouen.fr
Abstract:
A case of temporary quadriplegia following a continuous thoracic paravertebral block in an adult patient scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopy is presented. An 18-gauge Tuohy needle was inserted under direct vision by the surgeon but the tip of the catheter was not localized. Postoperatively, the patient developed temporary quadriplegia 90 minutes after the start of a continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2%. Imaging studies showed that the catheter was localized in the intrathecal space.
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