Prolonged sensory impairment in the perineal region after painless delivery through lumbar epidural anesthesia

Abstract

In the painless delivery, the neuronal injury caused by regional anesthesia sometimes causes diagnostic difficulty because of the common findings with lumbosacral injury due to vaginal delivery. We herein report a 36-year-old woman presenting with long-standing cauda equina syndrome due to neurotoxicity of regional anesthetic. Neurological examination revealed the almost symmetrical, heterogeneous sensory deficit mainly in the perineal region, hypoactive quadriceps femoris reflex, decreased anal sphincter reflex, and dermographia. The correct diagnosis is important to support the quality of life of patients.