Sudden bilateral hearing loss after spinal anaesthesia. A case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Anesthesiology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Spinal anesthesia, commonly performed using agents like bupivacaine, is generally safe.
• Auditory complications are rare but potential adverse events associated with neuraxial anesthesia.
• Understanding the mechanisms behind these rare complications is crucial for patient safety.

Observation:

• A case of bilateral hearing loss is reported following a routine spinal anesthesia procedure.
• The patient received bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia without any other reported complications.
• The hearing loss was noted after the anesthetic procedure.

Findings:

• The primary hypothesis for the hearing loss is a significant drop in intracranial pressure.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak, a known complication of spinal anesthesia, can lead to reduced intracranial pressure.
• This pressure change is suggested to be the principal factor in the observed auditory deficit.

Implications:

• Minor auditory deficits following spinal anesthesia may go undetected without specific audiological assessment.
• Clinicians should consider the possibility of hearing loss in patients experiencing neurological or auditory symptoms post-spinal anesthesia.
• Further investigation into the link between intracranial pressure dynamics and auditory function after spinal anesthesia is warranted.