International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2013
ReviewAllergic reactions during labour analgesia and caesarean section anaesthesia.
Allergic reactions in the parturient are challenging for the anaesthetist who is dealing with both mother and baby, often in circumstances when there is a need for delivery. While most previous reviews have focused on specific substances in individual cases, this review focuses on allergic reactions during the peripartum period, the differential diagnosis and specific treatment options. Immunoregulation and susceptibility to allergic reactions may change during pregnancy. ⋯ Most drugs used for resuscitation of the non-pregnant patient are suitable for the parturient. Some substances, such as H2-receptor antagonists for aspiration prophylaxis or corticosteroids for prematurity, may have been given before the event. Although fetal outcome is important, the mother is the primary focus of care.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2013
Letter Case ReportsEpidural analgesia in a parturient with lumbar tinea versicolor.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2013
Case ReportsAnaesthetic management of emergency caesarean section in a parturient with systemic mastocytosis.
Mastocytosis is a rare disorder caused by the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in various organs. It has a broad variety of clinical manifestations, including cardiovascular collapse. Diverse stimuli trigger the release of vasoactive substances and parturients with systemic mastocytosis are at high risk for precipitating mast cell degranulation. ⋯ This is particularly important in the case of an emergency caesarean section. Resuscitation equipment must be available should life-threatening haemodynamic instability occur during surgery. We report the case of a pregnant woman with systemic mastocytosis who required emergency caesarean section.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2013
Case ReportsSpinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in the presence of respiratory failure and spinal metastases from a soft tissue clear cell sarcoma.
Spinal metastases occur in up to 70% of all patients with cancer. However, only 10% are symptomatic. Before considering central neuraxial blockade in patients with malignancy, a history of back pain should be excluded. ⋯ Failure to achieve adequate sensory anaesthesia after central neuraxial blockade or presentation with postoperative paraplegia may indicate the presence of asymptomatic vertebral canal metastases. In this report, the anaesthetic management of a patient with respiratory failure and spinal metastases from a soft tissue sarcoma, requiring caesarean section is described. Sensory anaesthesia extending above a level of imminent cord compression was achieved despite loss of cerebrospinal fluid signal on magnetic resonance imaging.