Autonomic dysreflexia: an unusual radiologic complication

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious complication for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
• Diagnostic radiologic procedures can trigger adverse events in susceptible patients.

Observation:

• Two cases of autonomic dysreflexia during diagnostic imaging are presented.
• One patient experienced this during a retrograde cystogram; the other during a femoral angiogram.

Findings:

• Spinal cord lesions at or above T6 increase the risk of autonomic dysreflexia.
• This condition can lead to severe hypertension, myocardial failure, and intracranial hemorrhage.

Implications:

• Radiologists must be aware of autonomic dysreflexia risks in patients with high spinal cord lesions.
• Understanding the clinical features, causes, and management is vital for patient safety during procedures.