Paraplegia complicating a block of the celiac plexus with alcohol for recurrent stomach cancer is described.
A 33 year old male patient was admitted to control for severe epigastric pain.
With the patient in prone position, the needle was advanced further than 2 cm on the anterior margin of L1 vertebral body under fluoroscopy. 3 ml of 1% lidocaine and 5 ml of conray were injected through each needle, and the diffusion of the
contrast
medium was checked. This was followed by 7 ml of pure alcohol and 8 ml of 50% alcohol for each needle. Tat that time, the patient was very satisfied with loss of abdominal pain.
About 30 minutes after injection of alcohol, suddenly patient complained of severe burning pain on back and both extremities.
Thereafter, loss of sensation and paralysis in both extremities were developed slowly. The senstivity to cold recovered 3 days after block. By the the 33rd day the block, sensation had recovered in both extremities, the bladder and rectum.
Movement
of
the right ankle joint and left great toe was also possible.
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