• S Y Chan and E L Ong.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889.
• Ann Acad Med Singap. 2002 Jul 1; 31 (4): 525-7.

IntroductionMulticompartmental blocks are commonly described in epidurals but not spinals. We describe a case of subarachnoid block performed in an obese patient which resulted in a clinical presentation resembling that of a subdural block.Clinical PictureA 29-year-old woman, scheduled for saucerisation of thigh carbuncle, was administered 2.1 mL of hyperbaric bupivacaine. The spinal resulted in a late onset of sensory block that extended to the neck and upper limbs. There was no sympathetic or motor blockade.Treatment/OutcomeThe block receded spontaneously without causing any cardiovascular or respiratory compromise.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of subdural block must be considered in patients with unusual presentations after a spinal anaesthetic. Factors affecting spread of hyperbaric bupivacaine are also highlighted.

19 keywords...

hide…