Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy following epidural analgesia for labor

Authors

James H. Lynch, Tripler Regional Med Center
Ryan J. Keneally, Tripler Regional Med Center
Thomas R. Hustead, Tripler Regional Med Center

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Journal

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

Volume

19

Issue

5

DOI

10.3122/jabfm.19.5.521

Abstract

Epidural analgesia is a widely used method of pain control in the labor and delivery setting but is not without risks. We present a case of Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy as a rare complication of epidural analgesia in an obstetric patient. Although reported in few instances in the anesthesia literature, awareness among providers in obstetrics is critical because this could be the first sign of a high sympathetic blockade resulting in potential maternal-fetal morbidity.

APA Citation

Lynch, J., Keneally, R., & Hustead, T. (2006). Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy following epidural analgesia for labor. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 19 (5). http://dx.doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.19.5.521